(NewsReady.com) – The Russian war on Ukraine is just days away from its one year anniversary. Currently, the invading military is advancing on the eastern city of Bakhmut. While the conflict rages, the US State Department is repeating calls for US citizens to evacuate Russia.
On February 12, the US Embassy in Russia updated its security alert for the nation. The notice advised all American citizens to get out of the country. “Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ [US] citizenship,” force them to serve in the military, deny them access to the US embassy, or prevent them from leaving, officials warned.
US Embassy in Moscow calls on US citizens to leave russia immediately.
“Do not travel to russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. US citizens who live or travel in russia must immediately leave the country” pic.twitter.com/RVaFWNT3Ro
— Sergiy Kyslytsya (@SergiyKyslytsya) February 13, 2023
The notice mirrored a similar warning the embassy released in September when the Russian military began mobilizing more troops to carry out the invasion. Russia forced hundreds of thousands of its citizens to join the Armed Forces after it suffered tremendous losses on the battlefield.
The latest notice also told American citizens who regularly travel to the country to refrain from going there, including those who work for human rights and charitable organizations. The alert warned that commercial flights out of Russia are very limited. Further, the US Embassy is limited as to what it can do to help Americans who wish to leave.
Additionally, Russian forces are accused of singling out US citizens for harassment, extortion, mistreatment, and detention. The Embassy claimed security services have arrested Americans “on spurious charges, singled out [US] citizens in Russia,” and even “convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence.”
Travel to the areas bordering Ukraine is even more dangerous. The Russian government declared martial law in Kursk, Bryansk, Voronezh, Belgorod, Rostov, and Krasnodar. The Embassy included a list of steps to take in case someone decides to travel to the country despite its warnings. The checklist includes monitoring the media, reviewing information to learn how the US government can help them, developing a plan to leave without the US government’s help, and other steps.
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