10 Aug 2021 | 12:28 PM UTC
Russia: US Embassy warns of reduced ability to provide consular support as of Aug. 10
Staff shortage severely restricting US diplomatic ability to provide consular support in Russia, as of Aug. 10.
Event
The US Embassy has reissued a Travel Advisory for Russia as of Aug. 10 warning citizens that its ability to offer consular support is severely restricted at this time due to a staff shortage. The facility is currently indefinitely closed for routine consular services, though is still providing emergency support to US citizens.
The advisory reiterated previous advice that US citizens avoid travel to Russia at this time. This advice has been in place since October 2019 and initially arose due to Russian government limitations on the ability of the embassy to provide consular support in the North Caucasus and the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, as well as apparently arbitrary detentions and harassment of US citizens; it does not therefore indicate any specific increase in the local security threat.
Context
The US expelled 10 Russian diplomats and placed sanctions on several individuals and organizations in early 2021 in retaliation for the imprisonment of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, among other issues. Russia retaliated with similar expulsions and also restricted the US Embassy’s ability to employ local or third-country nationals, forcing the facility to reduce staff numbers by 75 percent and significantly impairing its capacity.
There is a moderate security threat in Russia, representing latent risks from petty and organized crime, as well as sporadic civil unrest and occasional arbitrary law enforcement and corruption among security forces. There is also a latent threat from transnational and separatist terrorism, particularly in the North Caucasus.
Advice
US citizens should reconsider travel to Russia, given the lack of routine consular services. Exercise caution and contact your diplomatic mission if a victim of crime. Treat members of the security forces with respect and avoid all demonstrations. Report all suspicious activity or objects to the security forces. Do not criticize the regime in public, including on social media.
