Due to the crisis in Ukraine and the possibility of arbitrary detention or harassment by Russian law enforcement, the United States has instructed its nationals to leave Russia immediately.

The U.S. embassy in Moscow advised American residents residing or travelling in Russia to leave immediately. "Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions."

The embassy warned, "Do not travel to Russia,"

The United States has told its citizens multiple times to leave Russia. After ordering a partial mobilization in September, President Vladimir Putin issued the last public warning.

The embassy stated, "Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, singled out U.S. citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence."

"Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against U.S. citizen religious workers and have opened questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity."

In January, the Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that Russia had initiated a criminal case against a U.S. citizen on suspicion of espionage.