Russia Travel Warning: Essential Safety Guide for International Travelers in 2025 Amid Ongoing Conflict and Security Risks

Listeners considering travel to Russia should be acutely aware that as of July 2025, almost all major Western governments—including those of the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada—strongly advise against all travel to Russia. The government of Canada warns travelers to avoid all travel due to ongoing armed conflict with Ukraine and a heightened risk of terrorism. The safety environment includes not only active security incidents, such as drone or missile attacks far from the Ukrainian border, but also unpredictable shifts in regulations and partial or full military mobilizations.

The U.S. State Department places Russia at its highest advisory level—Do Not Travel—citing wrongful detention of foreign nationals, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and ongoing security threats in both border and interior areas. The State Department urges any U.S. citizen currently in Russia to leave the country immediately, as the capacity of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to assist in an emergency is severely limited. Consular services remain suspended, with no guarantee of consular access for detained foreign nationals.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office also advises against all travel to Russia, citing the risks of security incidents, limited evacuation routes, and drastically reduced government support. Traveling in defiance of this advice could invalidate insurance and place dual citizens at increased risk, especially as dual nationals with Russian citizenship are subject to mandatory military service under current laws. In August 2024, Russia’s rules changed to prevent conscription-eligible Russians from leaving the country after their draft notice appears.

Travelers from other nations, such as China, Brazil, and India, do not face equally severe advisories but are still cautioned by their governments to exercise heightened vigilance, especially in southern and western regions near the Ukrainian border where drone and missile attacks are most frequent.

Tourism to Russia has notably declined since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, and those still traveling from Europe and North America must overcome substantial logistical barriers. These include restrictions on flights, disruption to international banking, and new identification procedures, like registering with Russia’s Unified Biometric System for mobile phone use.

Within major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, the risk of violence is currently lower, and millions of tourists travel without major incident. Visible police presence and improved infrastructure contribute to a degree of day-to-day safety, especially for women travelers, although visitors are strongly advised to avoid political discussions and public demonstrations, refrain from photographing military sites, and carry adequate supplies of cash and essential items due to ongoing banking restrictions. Emergency services can be reached by dialing 112, but language barriers may complicate communication.

For those considering travel despite these warnings, it is paramount to check your government’s latest travel advisories, ensure your travel documents are current, and have contingency plans for rapid departure. It is also vital to stay updated on news regarding the evolving security situation and to avoid high-risk border regions and all political activity.

The current consensus among Western governments and many international observers is clear: travel to Russia carries severe and unpredictable risks, and non-essential travel should be postponed until the security situation improves.