Washington Urges Americans to Leave Russia “Immediately”

On Monday, the United States urged American citizens in Russia to consider leaving "immediately" due to the unjustified attack by Russian forces in Ukraine.

The State Department authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency employees and family members at the U.S. embassy of Moscow.

“Due to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, an increasing number of airlines are cancelling flights into and out of Russia, and numerous countries have closed their airspace to Russian airlines. In addition, air space around southern Russia is restricted and a number of airports in the area have closed,” the alert said. “U.S. citizens located in or considering travel to the districts of the Russian Federation immediately bordering Ukraine should be aware that the situation along the border is dangerous and unpredictable.”

In the same vein, the Level 4 travel advisory called on Americans not to travel to Russia due to "ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens [and] the embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia," among other reasons.

Also, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the suspension of operations at the Minsk embassy and the authorized departure from Moscow.

“We took these steps due to security and safety issues stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine,” Blinken said.