Sun | Feb 1, 2026

Ukraine Crisis | State Department recommends Americans leave Russia immediately

Published:Saturday | March 5, 2022 | 6:03 PM
Aeroflot's passengers planes are parked at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Russia's largest airline, Aeroflot, said Monday that it suspended flights to New York, Washington, Miami and Los Angeles through Wednesday because Canada has closed its airspace to Russian planes. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

WASHINGTON — The US State Department has updated an earlier travel advisory and is now recommending that citizens leave Russia immediately.

The notice offers this guidance: “If you wish to depart Russia, you should make arrangements on your own as soon as possible. If you plan to stay in Russia, understand the US Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist US citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may change suddenly.”

The department already has advised Americans not to travel to Russia.

That warning cites “the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine” and “the potential for harassment against US citizens by Russian government security officials,” among other things.

The American ambassador in Moscow, John Sullivan, has scheduled a virtual town hall on Wednesday for US citizens in Russia “in light of the rapidly developing situation” from the Russian invasion

The State Department's prior travel advisory, issued on Friday, said American citizens should "consider" departing Russia immediately through the available commercial options.

On February 28, US officials allowed the voluntary departure of non-emergency staff at the US Embassy in Moscow and their family members.

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