The U.S. Embassy in Russia has warned all Americans to leave the country immediately following President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization decree last week.
The embassy warned that transportation options to leave Russia could suddenly become more limited and that those with dual American-Russian citizenship could be called for military service.
“Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service,” the security alert stated.
“Commercial flight options are extremely limited at present and are often unavailable on short notice. Overland routes by car and bus are still open,” the alert continued. “If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible. The U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may suddenly become even more limited.”
The alert also warned American citizens not to travel to Russia and that those already traveling within Russia should leave right away.
“U.S. citizens should not travel to Russia and those residing or travelling in Russia should depart Russia immediately while limited commercial travel options remain,” the embassy stated.
Since August 15, the State Department’s travel advisory for Russia has been raised to level 4, which states the recommendation for Americans is, “Do not travel and leave immediately.” The most recent update from the U.S. Embassy in Russia expands the previous warning to urge Americans with dual Russian citizenship to flee, along with increasing urgency following Putin’s latest military announcement.
The new warning also comes as Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the U.S. is coming close to “becoming a party to the conflict” in Ukraine.
“More and more, the American side is getting into this conflict, getting closer to becoming a party to the conflict, which is extremely dangerous,” Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, according to a report by The Sun.
On Tuesday, Russia announced referendums in four captured regions in an effort to take areas under Ukrainian sovereignty. Western nations have largely condemned the actions.
Russia is orchestrating sham referendums in a transparent attempt to annex sovereign Ukrainian territory.
All countries should reject this charade and refuse to recognise the results.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/CpW9dO0arb
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) September 28, 2022
During a virtual address with students and staff at Harvard University, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blasted the Russian effort to annex its land.
“If it is not clear that we have regained our land, the war is over and there is peace, and instead something is always under a question mark, some part is not de-occupied, and the other part is in some kind of compromise, then, believe me, Russia will return to the occupation of our land,” Zelensky said in a press release from the event released on Wednesday.
“Because there will be many more such threats. So that there are fewer of them, it should be systematically written out what the reaction will be. Even to words or intentions. For such military and political leaders to be afraid to even think of threatening any state with anything – with nuclear weapons, hunger, annexation, or occupation,” the Ukrainian president added.