U.S. Tells Its Citizens In Russia To Leave Immediately

The United States has told its citizens to leave Russia immediately due to the war in Ukraine and the risk of arbitrary arrest or harassment by Russian law enforcement agencies, Guy Faulconbridge reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: The Kremlin said it was not the first time US citizens had been asked to leave Russia.

"US citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately," the US embassy in Moscow said.

"Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions. Do not travel to Russia," it added.

"Russian security services have arrested US citizens on spurious charges, singled out US citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence," the embassy said.

"Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against US citizen religious workers and have opened questionable criminal investigations against US citizens engaged in religious activity."

The Kremlin said it was not the first time US citizens had been asked to leave Russia. The last such public warning was in September after President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization.

Reporting for CBS News, Li Cohen warned that there is also the possibility that US citizens could be forced to fight in the war. "Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals' US citizenship, deny their access to US consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, and/or conscript them," the US Embassy in Moscow warned.

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