Published: December 26, 2024
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Russia Travel Advisory and Russia Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Moscow
Bolshoy Deviatinskiy Pereulok No. 8, Moscow 121099
Regular business hours: 0830 – 1630, Monday – Friday, excluding Russian and U.S. Holidays
Switchboard: +7-495-728-5000 or +7-495-728-5577
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +7-495-728-5000
Consular services for U.S. citizens in Russia are extremely limited. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for all requests for consular services.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
There is not an active country chapter in Russia.
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Russia Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should not travel to Russia due to the consequences of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces. U.S. citizens may face harassment or detention by Russian security officials, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the possibility of terrorism. The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia. The Department has determined that there is a continued risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by Russian authorities. U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should leave immediately.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Moscow as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
Be aware of your surroundings, and exercise caution in the vicinity of large crowds. Do not leave bags unattended. U.S. nationals have been victims of serious crimes when visiting Russia. Russian authorities are not always willing to investigate crimes impartially and thoroughly.
In 2023, Russian media reported a four percent rise in the 2022 murder rate in Russia. The data contrasted with a Russian Interior Ministry report saying that the number of overall crimes reported in Russia decreased by 1.9 percent in 2022, while violent crime was down by 4.1 percent. In 2021, the reported murder rate in Russia has fallen steadily over the last two decades, from a height of more than 30:100,000 people to approximately 8:100,000 people, according to World Bank statistics. The World Bank has not updated these statistics since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Crimes against tourists, often petty theft, do occur at popular tourist sites and on public transportation.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a kidnapping “K” indicator on the Travel Advisory for Russia.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Moscow as being a HIGH-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a terrorism “T” indicator on the Travel Advisory for Russia, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
Moscow and St. Petersburg have been the targets of terrorist attacks, and bomb threats against public venues are common. Visitors should continue to exercise caution, as no area is immune from the threat of terrorism. Terrorist groups, transnational and local terrorist organizations, and lone actors inspired by extremist ideology and messaging continue plotting possible attacks throughout Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.
Low-level militant terrorist activity remains a problem in Russia’s North Caucasus region despite increased counterterrorism activities and political consolidation efforts.
Persons at a location that receives a bomb threat should follow all instructions from the local police and security services.
Terrorists have carried out attacks in Russia, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Russia’s Dagestan region. For example:
- On June 23, 2024, gunmen opened fire at multiple places of worship and a police traffic stop in coordinated shootings in Dagestan, killing at least 19 people and injuring 25.
- On March 22, 2024, ISIS claimed responsibility for an attack on the Crocus City Hall concert complex, killing 143 people. Russian authorities also charged three other men with assisting the attackers by providing transportation.
- On March 7, 2024, Russian authorities said that they thwarted a planned terrorist attack on a Moscow synagogue by an ISIS cell based in Kaluga, a city approximately 200km (124 miles) southwest from the Moscow city center.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Moscow as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a civil unrest “U” indicator on the Travel Advisory for Russia, indicating that demonstrations, protests, and/or strikes occur frequently. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstrations, as even those planned to be peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Do not travel to the North Caucasus, including Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, Kabardino-Balkariya, and Mount Elbrus due to risk of civil unrest. Also, do not travel to Crimea due to Russia’s occupation of the Ukrainian territory and abuses by its occupying authorities.
Elections/Political Stability
The Russian Federation holds regular elections on federal, regional, and local levels. Russia’s non-parliamentary opposition and independent monitoring groups have called the elections neither free nor fair. Opposition groups have initiated several unauthorized protest rallies against unfair or fraudulent elections. Many of the 2020 and 2021 protests resulted in large-scale detentions followed by criminal investigations against the protesters. In March 2024, Russia held its presidential election. It occurred in an environment of intense political repression that has largely marginalized independent voices. Russia’s internal repression has only intensified since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in part to minimize criticism of the war. High-profile elections might lead to further protests and other security concerns, specifically after the elections occur. Attending these political rallies as a foreigner can result in arrest or deportation.
Protests & Demonstrations
There is the potential for civil unrest in Moscow in the form of unsanctioned demonstrations. Russian law provides for freedom of assembly, but the rights to peaceful assembly and free speech are not always protected. The law requires that organizers of public meetings, demonstrations, or marches with more than one participant has to formally notify the government of their intent to assemble in order to receive permission. Failure to obtain official approval to hold a protest frequently results in the unsanctioned protest’s dispersal. While numerous public demonstrations do take place, local officials selectively deny permission to assemble or offer alternate venues that are inconveniently or remotely located. Visitors should avoid public demonstrations.
Authorities have arrested U.S. nationals who have participated in or been in the vicinity of demonstrations.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Travelers should be aware of the possibility of anti-U.S. sentiment or harassment. Russia will not recognize your U.S. citizenship if you are a dual U.S.-Russian citizen or have a claim to Russian citizenship. Russia has denied consular officers visits to detained dual U.S.-Russian citizens. The Russian government has forced citizens with dual nationality to join the Russian military and prevented them from leaving the country.
Russian authorities may not notify the U.S. Embassy about the detention of a U.S. citizen and may delay U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services also target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable.”
Russian officials have interrogated and threatened U.S. citizens without cause. This includes former and current U.S. government and military personnel, and private U.S. citizens engaged in business. U.S. citizens may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion.
Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on false charges, denied them fair treatment, and convicted them without credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities have opened questionable investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity.
Law Enforcement
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) is the agency primarily responsible for ensuring public order and conducting routine criminal investigations. The uniform worn by the public order police is dark blue with red trim, with the word Полиция (police) across the back and a police patch on the shoulder. The State Automobile Inspectorate (GAI) is the MVD entity responsible for regulating traffic and investigating traffic accidents. Their everyday uniforms are dark blue with gray trim; inclement weather outer garments incorporate high-visibility or reflective elements.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) is Russia’s main domestic security agency. Plainclothes and uniformed officers exercise wide-ranging jurisdiction in the areas of counterintelligence, internal and border security, counterterrorism, surveillance, and economic crimes.
Police Response
The quality of assistance from local law enforcement varies. Police do not need to show probable cause in order to stop, question, or detain individuals. Please comply with the requests of local law enforcement officials.
Public campaigns have been initiated to punish endemic bribery and corruption among the police services. However, random document checks and other official actions still provide opportunity for “on-the-spot” payment of fines. Foreigners, particularly from Central Asia, are commonly victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion by law enforcement officers and other officials. If harassed by Russian law enforcement officers, note the officer’s name (if given), badge number, patrol car number, and where the incident happened, as this information assists local officials in identifying the perpetrators. Authorities are concerned about these incidents and have cooperated in investigations. The U.S. Embassy recommends against the payment of bribes in any circumstance. If you find yourself in a situation where an officer solicits a bribe, immediately inform the police that you wish to contact your embassy.
The emergency lines in Russia are 102 from a landline or 020 or 112 from a mobile phone. For local first responders, refer to the embassy’s Emergency Assistance page.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Russia, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has included a risk of wrongful detention “D” indicator on the Travel Advisory for Russia, indicating that there is a continued risk of the wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by Russian authorities.
Concerns involving the rule of law in Russia are high. For example, the Russian Constitution explicitly allows single-person pickets; however, there have been hundreds of cases of detention, arrest, and court decisions against protesters for staging single-person protests. Opposition activists, particularly those expressing anti-war sentiments, routinely experience official harassment, searches, and detentions. Activists often report that police interrupt meetings and conferences to detain participants and organizers.
The level of transparency is low, particularly in the justice system. Acquittal in courts is highly unlikely, especially in political cases. There have been reports of detention and arrests for internet posts or re-postings of articles, images, and video footages of opposition content. Authorities seek to introduce increasingly stringent punishments to encourage self-censorship.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrime is a significant problem across Russia. Russian hackers and traditional organized crime structures continue to work together, raising threats to the financial sector. The risk of infection, compromise, and theft via malware, spam e-mail, sophisticated spear phishing, and social engineering attacks is significant. Remain vigilant against cyber threats and actively use cyber security measures to mitigate risks.
Travelers have no reasonable expectation of privacy in Russia. Telephone and electronic communications are subject to surveillance at any time and without advisory, which may compromise sensitive information. The government continues to employ its longstanding use of the System for Operative-Investigative Measures (SORM), which requires internet service providers (ISPs) to install, at their own expense, a device that routes all customer traffic to an FSB terminal. The system enables police to track private email communications, identify internet users, and monitor their internet activity. The law also envisions the creation of an independent domain name system (DNS) for the country, separate from the global DNS. Furthermore, the law requires domestic and foreign businesses to store personal data on servers located in the country. Companies that ignore this requirement risk being fined, blocked, or both; companies refusing to localize Russian user data may be subject to penalties ranging from 5,000 rubles ($66) to six million rubles ($78,700), with fines of up to 18 million rubles ($236,000) for repeat offenses.
Import/Export Restrictions
You must have advance approval to import satellite telephones. Global Positioning System (GPS) and other radio electronic devices, and their use, are subject to special rules and regulations in Russia. Contact the Russian Customs Service for required permissions.
Rigorous searches of baggage and strict enforcement of customs regulations against the exportation of items of “cultural value” can occur. Authorities have arrested U.S. visitors for attempting to leave with antique items they believed they had purchased legally from licensed vendors. Any article that could appear old or as having cultural value, including artwork, icons, samovars, rugs, military medals, and antiques, must have a certificate indicating that it has no historical or cultural value. Authorities may not grant certificates for certain articles, either due to their cultural value or antiquity. Obtain and retain receipts for all high-value items (including caviar) purchased in Russia. Obtain export certificates from the Culture Ministry.
Carry a copy of valid U.S. prescriptions, including a notarized translation into Russian of each prescription, when entering Russia with prescription medications. Prescription medication should be in its original packaging.
Certain classes of over-the-counter cold medicines, such as those containing pseudoephedrine, are illegal in Russia. Do not bring cold medication with you to Russia.
Russia does not recognize medical marijuana prescriptions. Possession of marijuana in Russia is illegal. If you bring medical marijuana into Russia, you are at risk of arrest.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
