United States Urges Citizens To Leave Russia Immediately

On Monday, the Biden administration called on Americans to immediately leave Russia. “unpredictable consequences” including detentions as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The State Department issued a travel advisory, set at the highest of four levels, ahead of President Joe Biden’s expected visit to Poland to Celebrate the anniversary of the massive assault’s beginning.

“U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately,” According to the advisory. “Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions.”

The Consultative cites “the potential for harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials, the arbitrary enforcement of local law, limited flights into and out of Russia, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, and the possibility of terrorism.”

A high-profile case of what U.S. authorities deemed to be a “wrongful detention” The invasion was only days away when the events began to unfold. Brittney Griner, WNBA star, was arrested in Moscow after she was caught using marijuana vaping material. Griner was awarded a Nine year sentence in prison For drug possession, he was sent to prison. In December Russia released Griner is in a prisoner swap for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer widely known as “Merchant of Death.”

Some others remain in Russia, including Paul Whelan (a U.S. Marine Veteran) who was held on espionage accusations that the U.S. government, his family, and he have claimed were unfounded. According to the Associated Press. Russia’s Federal Security Service Announced in January An investigation into espionage by a U.S. citizen has been opened. The identity of the U.S. citizen involved in the case remains a mystery.

The United States has provided tens of billions of dollars in aid to support Ukraine’s defense efforts and led an international coalition to levy sanctions meant to punish Russia for the invasion that began on February 24, 2022, and continues to this day.

Russia’s government appeared to shrug off the State Department’s latest advisory. “This is not a new thing,” Dmitry Peskov (Kremlin spokesperson) told reporters According to Reuters.

The State Department An advisory was previously issued As the Russian government began mobilizing its citizens to the Armed Forces in Support of the Invasion of Ukraine in September, Russia warned. “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.”

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