U.S. State Department: Russian Federation Travel Alert 23 October 2014
Yesterday afternoon, a new email popped into my inbox...from the U.S. Department of State. About a month before the Sochi Olympics, my parents enrolled me in the State Department's STEP Notification System for the Russian Federation. "STEP" stands for "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program." After the Volgograd train bombing, they were concerned about my train travel to Sochi, but there was no hesitation or fear on my part and I gladly boarded Russian Railways in February, en route to Adler to attend the Olympics. The purpose of STEP is to alert American passport holders of potential dangers and risks associated with travel to various countries. Such alerts are always dramatic, and completely designed to advise travelers of the worst case scenarios they may encounter. The only thing I find useful about the Alerts is that they specify which U.S. Embassies remain open in various regions. Yesterday, the State Department released an updated Alert for travel to the Russian Federation as follows:
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens in Russia to the on-going tensions along the border with Ukraine and the potential for clashes between pro-Russian groups and Ukrainian forces. This supersedes the Travel Alert dated July 22 to provide updated information on the security situation along Russia's border with Ukraine and will expire on December 31, 2014.
The U.S. government currently has no information concerning active armed clashes inside Russia or that there are any threats specific to U.S. citizens. However, all U.S. citizens located in or considering travel to the border region of the Russian Federation, specifically the districts immediately bordering Ukraine in parts of Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, and Rostov Oblasts and Krasnodar Krai, should be aware that the tensions described in the State Department's Travel Warning for Ukraine have the potential to jeopardize the safety and security of U.S. citizens traveling or living in those regions
A state of emergency, declared by the Russian government, continues to be in effect in the Rostov Oblast bordering Ukraine. The situation along the border is unpredictable and could change quickly.Armed, pro-Russian groups are reportedly traveling illegally across the border into Ukraine and could increase the potential for clashes in Russia near the border, and pose a heightened risk for kidnapping and hostage taking. Negotiations and discussions between Ukraine and Russia are on-going regarding the integrity and control of the international border between the two countries. A formal, permanent mechanism to guarantee security on the border has not yet been established. Given the on-going volatility of the situation, U.S. citizens are strongly advised against traveling by land from Russia to Ukraine through this region.
U.S. citizens considering travel to the border region in Russia should evaluate their personal security situation in light of these political tensions, and the possibility of violence or anti-U.S. actions directed against U.S. citizens or U.S. interests. U.S. citizens who choose to remain in areas where Russia has declared a state of emergency or other border regions should maintain a low profile and avoid large crowds and gatherings.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens in Russia to avoid all public demonstrations, whether properly authorized by local officials or not, and avoid any large crowds and public gatherings that lack enhanced security measures. U.S. diplomatic facilities in Russia have been the target of frequent demonstrations. Demonstrations related to the conflict may appear anywhere throughout Russia, at any time. These demonstrations may increase the possibility of confrontation and violence. Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.
The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow assists U.S. citizens in Russia. The Unit can help you with passport issuance and renewal, voter assistance, notarials, and registering a child born abroad. It also provides emergency services for U.S. citizens in case of a disaster or in case of illness, arrest, death or destitution while in Russia.
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I don't see anything scandalous written here, but my question is whether the FSB or some other Russian government agency issues similar warnings for Russian citizens traveling abroad? Are there any such warnings for travel to America or Ukraine? If so, please send me the links because I would be interested in reading them.
In general, I haven't been following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine very closely over the past month. To try to get accurate information online is almost impossible. Each side advocates a certain position, has troops and military leaders who back up the statements, and even photographic evidence. Yet, each side contradicts the other. The only people who know are those on the ground, or civilians in the areas impacted by the fighting. YouTube videos, pictures...all easily doctored and manipulated with modern technology, so I don't even trust the images put out through these mediums.
A reader wrote me today that he believes Russians face much less propaganda than Americans when it comes to events in Ukraine, and other global conflicts. Well, this is a very interesting theory but I believe Americans are more critical of their government's foreign policy actions than Russians. This can be supported by approval ratings for our leaders - Obama's current approval rating is currently about 40%; Putin's approval rating 85%. Maybe even higher after his anti-Western speech in Sochi. So, please, when people write to me with the very common Krembot response - "but what about IRAQ, SYRIA, LIBYA" keep those approval ratings in your mind. They mean something...