U.S. tells citizens to leave Russia 'immediately'

The United States on Monday told American citizens in Russia to leave "immediately" due to the risk of wrongful detention or harassment by Russian authorities. 

"U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately," the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Russia said. "Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions."

The U.S. also said citizens should not visit Russia because of the "unpredictable consequences" of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, limited ways to travel into and out of the country and the embassy's "limited ability to assist U.S. citizens."ct the expression of individuals, particularly those with whom those presently in power disagree.

"Do not travel to Russia," the advisory also warns.

The U.S. embassy told citizens nearly a year ago to leave Russia over flight cancellation concerns as many airlines stopped providing service to Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the alert. He said the warnings "have been voiced by the State Department many times in the last period, so this is not a new thing," Reuters reported.