The State Department updated its travel advisory to Russia, directing U.S. citizens in the country to leave “immediately” due to the possibility of “unprovoked and unjustified attack” from Russian armed forces.
In the revised travel advisory on Saturday morning, the State Department said that due to the possibility of attacks and harassment on U.S. citizens, limited availability to help those who stayed behind, and complications from COVID-19 travel protocols, it was advising people to leave the country. Traveling to the country, which currently is a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” threat, was also not advised.
“U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately,” the State Department said. “Limited commercial flight options are still available. Overland routes by car and bus are also still open.”
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“If you wish to depart Russia, you should make arrangements on your own as soon as possible,” the State Department said. “If you plan to stay in Russia, understand the U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may change suddenly.”
U.S. citizens were also warned that credit and debit cards might be declined in the country as sanctions have been imposed on Russia’s economy.
“There are some reports of cash shortages within Russia,” the advisory continued. “U.S. citizens should make an alternative plan for access to money and finances if remaining in Russia.”
The State Department also warned against taking part in “political or social protests” while in Russia.
Family members of State Department officials serving at the U.S. Embassy in Belarus were directed to leave the country on Jan. 31 amid “heightened tension in the region.” The State Department announced on Monday that it was moving to close the embassy in Belarus, which is providing assistance to Russia, and officials are authorizing the “voluntary departure” of nonemergency employees and their family members.
“We took these steps due to security and safety issues stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
President Joe Biden has authorized hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Ukraine and slapped sanctions on Russia, but he has been adamant he won’t deploy troops largely due to Ukraine’s lack of membership in NATO.
“We’ve now sanctioned Russian banks that together hold around $1 trillion in assets. We’ve cut off Russia’s largest bank … and today, we’re also blocking four more major banks,” he said during a press conference on Feb. 24. “That means every asset they have in America will be frozen.”
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The Washington Examiner reached out to the State Department for a statement but did not receive a response back.
