Americans With Dual Citizenship Should Leave Russia ‘Immediately’ — Could Be Drafted, Embassy Warns

Topline

The United States Embassy in Russia urged Americans in the country Tuesday to leave “immediately” and warned Americans against traveling to Russia in its most dire warning since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, as a mass exodus of conscription-eligible Russians flee to avoid Kremlin’s conscription.

Key Facts

The security alert warns that Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual citizenship, deny them access to U.S. consulates in Russia—used for travel assistance into and out of the country—outright prevent their departure and even conscript dual nationals into the Russian military.

The U.S. Embassy warned Americans should leave “while limited commercial travel options remain.”

Military-age Russians have been fleeing to neighboring countries after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared “partial mobilization” of armed reserves last week after Russian forces faced major territorial setbacks in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region as Ukraine gains a foothold in former Russian-occupied territory.

The cost of one-way flights out of Russia have since skyrocketed, while flights to some countries, including Turkey, Armenia, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates, are completely sold out, the Associated Press reported (The European Union had shut its airspace to Russian flights in February).

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow also advised Americans in Russia not to attend political or social protests, and not to photograph security personnel who attend, emphasizing U.S. citizens have been arrested at those demonstrations, and that “peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not guaranteed in Russia.”

The warning adds to a State Department travel advisory issued in August, urging Americans not to travel to the country and to leave immediately if inside.

Key Background

Putin announced in a televised address last week that his decree for partial mobilization will only apply to current members of the Russian military reserve and people who previously served in the country’s Armed Forces. He also threatened the use of nuclear weapons, setting off mass protests in Russia and widespread concern from foreign officials, including CIA Director Bill Burns, who told CBS Evening News the threat must be “taken very seriously.” More than 1,250 people have been detained in protests across Russia against Putin’s conscription, the New York Times reported, citing human-rights watchdog OVD-Info. Part of the anger is that Russian forces that desert their post or surrender in Ukraine could face lengthy jail time, following a bill Putin signed just three days after declaring partial mobilization. The move also sparked concerns Putin could declare martial law in annexed territories, suspending ordinary law and likely preventing military-age men from fleeing.

Tangent

On Tuesday, Russian state news outlet RIA claimed overwhelming support in sham referendums to annex occupied areas in eastern and southern Ukraine, setting the stage for potential further escalation as Russia pushes to secure those territories from Ukrainian forces. In a speech this week, Putin said nothing is off the table if Russia’s “territorial integrity is threatened.”

Further Reading

US embassy in Russia tells Americans to leave the country (The Hill)

‘Hopeless Situation’: Thousands Of Russians Flee To Neighboring Countries To Avoid Putin’s Military Draft (Forbes)

Putin Taps 300,000 Reservists To Fight In Ukraine As He Backs Referendums In Russian Occupied Territories (Forbes)