The US embassy in Moscow warned all Americans in Russia to leave the country while they still have a chance – warning that they may be forced to enlist in the Russian army if they don’t leave.
The embassy issued a nightly warning after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an order for “partial mobilization” of Russian men to fight in his war in Ukraine.
Putin’s call to mobilize 300,000 soldiers to fight in his war has reportedly forced hundreds of thousands of men of military age to flee the country — and has alarmed Americans currently in Russia.
“Russia can refuse to recognize U.S. dual citizenship, deny them access to U.S. consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia and employ dual citizens,” the warning reads.
Since the beginning of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the US embassy has warned Americans not to travel to the country.
The warning also reminded that leaving Russia has already proved increasingly difficult as the war continues, with limited commercial flights and crowded border controls.
Since Putin’s call for soldiers, flight prices have skyrocketed and become incredibly limited.
“If you want to leave Russia, you need to make independent arrangements as soon as possible,” the embassy said in the warning, noting that they have “serious restrictions” in how they can assist American citizens with their departure from the country.
The embassy has also warned Americans against participating in political events in Russia, saying that American citizens should “avoid all political or social protests and not photograph security personnel during these events.”
The warning noted that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not guaranteed in Russia, and that the country has arrested US citizens for participating in such demonstrations before.
Since Putin’s order, Russian men of fighting age have reportedly fled to Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Many other European countries have blocked entry for Russian citizens.
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