Why officials say Russia isn’t safe for American travelers

1/9/2026 Russia —

​In the highest warning level given, the U.S. State Department is urging Americans not to fly to Russia, citing the ongoing war with Ukraine, potential for arbitrary detention, and limited embassy support. Those who are currently in Russia are warned to leave the country immediately. Since there are few flights and little help if something were to happen, American travelers could find themselves stuck or jailed without a way out. The do not travel level 4 advisory was initially issued on Dec. 29, 2025. The State Department is warning those living in Russia with dual citizenship that the communist nation will not honor their U.S. citizenship. Officials are especially concerned about the risk of Americans being stopped, questioned, or detained without an apparent reason by Russian security services. Russia is one of 20 countries on the State Department’s do not travel advisory, along with Afghanistan, Belarus, Haiti, Iran, Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine and Venezuela, among others.