Russia

The war with Ukraine has brought armed incursions and shelling to Russia's border regions, where a federal state of emergency exists, and drone attacks and explosions have reached Moscow, St Petersburg and other cities. The security situation can deteriorate at short notice.

Russia faces a terrorism threat, including from groups linked to the North Caucasus and from the Islamic State, which has conducted mass-casualty attacks. Crowded public places and transport are potential targets.

The defining threat is wrongful detention by the state. Russian authorities detain foreign and dual nationals on unclear or fabricated charges, including espionage and treason, use them as bargaining chips, and may deny or delay consular access. Detention can be prolonged and conditions harsh.

Violent crime against foreigners in major cities is relatively low, but scams, fraud, corruption and extortion occur, and the wider climate of arbitrary enforcement means foreigners can face harassment and demands from officials.

Travel is complicated by the absence of direct flights from the West, sanctions affecting payments and logistics, border closures, drone-related airspace disruption and vast distances. Departure routes can be disrupted at short notice, and some regions are off-limits.

Urban healthcare exists but sanctions have cut the supply of Western medicines and equipment, private hospitals report significant shortages, and payment for care by foreigners is complicated by banking restrictions. International medical evacuation is difficult given the absence of Western flights and sanctions.

Russia is culturally diverse but politically repressive, and the overriding sensitivity is political. Any discussion, display or online content relating to the war, the government or opposition is dangerous. Norms are more conservative in the North Caucasus and other regions.

Russia has designated the so-called international LGBT movement as extremist and enforces laws against so-called propaganda, creating serious legal risk. Social hostility is high, particularly in the North Caucasus. LGBT travellers should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.

Contamination is concentrated in the Ukraine border regions affected by the fighting, where shelling and incursions have left ordnance. Elsewhere the risk is low, but the border areas should be avoided entirely.

Western diplomatic presence is reduced, consular support is limited and sometimes denied, and Russia does not always notify embassies of detentions. Russia treats dual nationals as Russian and denies them foreign consular protection. Relations with Western states are deeply hostile, and organisations deemed undesirable are targeted.

Surveillance is pervasive, and travellers should assume all communications and devices are monitored. Internet posts, searches and social media content deemed illegal, including on the war, have led to fines and imprisonment, and device inspection can occur. VPNs are restricted.