- The US Embassy in Moscow is urging Americans to leave Russia as soon as possible.
- The embassy warned that dual nationals could be conscripted into military service.
The US Embassy in Moscow said in a new security alert that US citizens should not travel to Russia and urged those traveling or residing in the country to get out "immediately," warning that dual nationals could be conscripted for military service as Russian leadership scrambles to find more people to fight in Ukraine.
"On September 21, the Russian government began a mobilization of its citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine," the security alert said. "Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals' US citizenship, deny their access to US consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service."
"If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible," the alert added.
The embassy said that it has "severe limitations" in its ability to assist Americans, underscoring that options for transportation "may suddenly become even more limited."
"We remind US citizens that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not guaranteed in Russia," the alert went on to say. "Avoid all political or social protests and do not photograph security personnel at these events," it said, adding that "Russian authorities have arrested US citizens who have participated in demonstrations."
The embassy has consistently urged Americans against traveling to Russia while advising those in the country to depart, but this new security alert contains a particularly stark warning given recent developments.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a partial military mobilization last week, calling up hundreds of thousands of reservists. Though Putin said that only people who had previously served "and have specific military occupational specialties and corresponding experience" would be impacted, reports indicate that that people without prior military service are also being forced to enlist.
Putin's mobilization decree came as Russia faces major manpower problems in Ukraine, where Russian forces are estimated to have suffered as many as 80,000 casualties, if not more, since the war began in late February.
The mobilization has faced resistance in Russia, prompting protests and leading thousands of men to flee the country. There have been traffic jams at the Russian border, and plane tickets have sold out, even as the prices have skyrocketed.