US Govt: Americans in Russia Should Leave 'Immediately'

Improve the News Foundation -
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Facts

  • Ahead of Russia's reported upcoming new round of military mobilization, the US Embassy is urging Americans in Russia to leave immediately — citing an elevated risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws and harassment, and the possibility of being conscripted to fight in the war against Ukraine.1
  • US authorities warn that it may get increasingly difficult for Americans to leave Russia, as US credit and debit cards continue to not work in the country and the US government's ability to help becomes 'severely limited.'2
  • The travel advisory, which has remained at the highest level of 'do not travel' since October, was updated Sunday to 'depart immediately,' and that Moscow might 'refuse to acknowledge dual nationals' U.S. citizenship,' 'their access to U.S. consular assistance,' 'prevent their departure from Russia, 'and/or conscript them.'1
  • The State Dept. added that Russia has already 'arrested US citizens on spurious charges, singled out US citizens...for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials.'3
  • In announcing the government's 'severely limited' ability to help American citizens in Russia, those who choose to stay or who have not yet planned a way to leave have been advised to keep a low profile and avoid controversial locations.1
  • In response to the State Dept. advisory, the Kremlin on Monday dismissed US warnings, pointing to similar announcements made in September which also came shortly after Putin called on more Russians to join the ranks in Ukraine.4

Sources: 1CBS, 2News talk 94.1/am 1600, 3New York Post and 4FOX News.

Narratives

  • Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by Express.co.uk. The situation in Russia has been dangerous for a while and will likely continue to worsen as the country prepares for a second mobilization of troops to fight in Ukraine. Americans have been told to leave Russia for several months now, and if they choose not to leave, there is very little the US government can do to help them.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by The moscow times. These warnings that Russia 'may do this' and 'may do that' are nothing new, and the US government's inability to help its citizens leave is due to its own budgetary cutbacks. The fearmongering over banking issues is also not new, as they are the result of economic sanctions similar to those imposed on Moscow by the West. As was the case months ago, these are empty fear tactics with no evidence behind them.