The United States has advised its citizens to leave Russia immediately because of the war in Ukraine and the potential for what it said would be “arbitrary detention” or “harassment” by Russian law enforcement agencies.
“US citizens residing in or traveling to Russia should leave immediately,” the US embassy in Moscow said. “You should exercise extra caution because of the possibility of unlawful arrests.”
“Do not travel to Russia,” the embassy added, according to Archyde.com.
The United States frequently advises its citizens to leave Russia. The last public warning was last September, after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization.
“Russian security services have arrested US citizens on false accusations, targeted US citizens in Russia for arrest and harassment while denying them fair and transparent treatment, and issued convictions against them in secret trials or without providing credible evidence,” the embassy said.
The FSB said in January that Russia had opened a criminal case against a US citizen on suspicion of espionage.