The U.S. State Department has reiterated its most severe travel guidance for Russia, maintaining a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, and urging Americans not to visit “for any reason.” The notice, issued December 29, 2025, keeps the same overall warning level while updating the government’s summary of the risks facing U.S. citizens in the country.
In its advisory, the department describes Russia as spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, and it assigns multiple risk indicators to the destination: terrorism, unrest, wrongful detention, and other concerns. Under the government’s four-tier system, Level 4 is the highest category and is intended to signal that travelers should avoid going because conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable.
Detention Risks And Limits On U.S. Assistance
The department says Americans currently in Russia should leave immediately, warning that U.S. authorities have limited ability to help, especially outside Moscow. It cites reduced staffing at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, restrictions on embassy personnel’s travel, and the suspension of operations by all U.S. consulates in Russia, including routine consular services.
The advisory highlights detention as a central risk. It states there is no guarantee Russian authorities will allow U.S. officials to visit detained Americans and warns that individuals may serve their entire prison sentence without release, even if a case is later determined to be wrongful. The State Department also says Russian officials have questioned and threatened U.S. citizens without reason, and that security services have arrested Americans on false charges. It adds that Russian authorities have denied Americans fair treatment and convicted them without credible evidence, and says officials have opened questionable investigations involving Americans’ religious activities.
The notice also points to practical constraints that can complicate emergencies. It warns that Russia can monitor, seize, and search phones, and that people may face penalties for online searches, content, or social media posts deemed illegal. It further states that U.S. credit and bank cards cannot be used in Russia, and that the embassy cannot help people transfer funds in ways that would bypass sanctions-related restrictions.
Security Threats And The Wider Regional Situation
Beyond legal and consular concerns, the State Department describes a volatile security picture. The advisory notes drone attacks and explosions near the border with Ukraine, as well as incidents in major cities including Moscow, Kazan, and St. Petersburg.
To underscore the terrorism risk, the notice references the 2024 attack at Crocus Music Hall in Moscow that killed 130 people and was claimed by ISIS Khorasan (ISIS-K). It advises that, in an emergency, Americans should follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter.
The advisory also cautions against travel to specific regions, including Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine such as Crimea and other regions listed in the department’s guidance, as well as Russian areas bordering Ukraine where U.S. government personnel face restrictions.
Special Issues For Dual Nationals And Practical Precautions
For Americans who hold or may be entitled to Russian citizenship, the advisory stresses that Russia may not recognize U.S. citizenship in dual-national cases. It says U.S. consular officers have been blocked from visiting detained dual U.S.-Russian citizens and warns that Russia has compelled some dual nationals to join the military while preventing them from leaving the country. It also notes that Russia began drafting citizens for the war in Ukraine in 2022 and that the military draft is ongoing.
While the department’s core message is to avoid travel, it also lists steps for those who still go. It encourages travelers to keep documents accessible, remain alert in public areas, monitor local media, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier for officials to contact them or their emergency contacts during a crisis. The advisory also recommends travel insurance that includes medical and evacuation coverage.
