RUSSIA: Travel Alert

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Russian Federation due to fires in Russia and their impact on safety, air quality, and transportation.  This Travel Alert expires on September 5, 2010.

Forest fires and extreme high temperatures in the Moscow region and surrounding areas of central Russia have produced hazardous levels of air pollution and caused numerous flight delays and cancellations in Moscow.

Persons contemplating travel to Moscow and surrounding areas should carefully consider their plans in light of these developments.  The hazardous air quality means that persons with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should remain indoors and keep activity levels low.  Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.

The situation has prompted the Russian government to declare a state of emergency in Moscow, Vladimir, Ryazan, Voronezh, Novgorod, the Republic of Mordovia, and the Republic of Marii-El.

Fire related conditions can change quickly, due to changes in wind direction and weather conditions.  Persons planning travel to the Moscow area should monitor weather conditions and stay in touch with their airline.

We recommend U.S. citizens register their travel plans with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website.

If you require further information or assistance, please visit the U.S. Embassy Moscow website or e-mail us at MoscowWarden@State.gov.  The U.S. Embassy Moscow consular section is located at Novinskiy Bulvar 21, Moscow.  The nearest metro stations are Barrikadnaya and Krasnapresenskaya.  You can reach the embassy's switchboard at (7) (495) 728-5000, and the American Citizen Services Unit at (7) (495) 728-5577. In the event of an after-hours emergency, please contact the main switchboard. You may also contact the American Citizens Services Unit by fax at (7) (495) 728-5084.  The U.S. Embassy Moscow website is also available in Russian at www.usembassy.ru.

U.S. Consulates General are located in:

St. Petersburg
15 Ulitsa Furshtadtskaya, St. Petersburg 191028
Tel: (7) (812) 331-2600
Fax: (7) (812) 331-2646
After-hours emergencies: (7) (812) 331-2600
Email: StPetersburgACS@state.gov

Vladivostok
32 Ulitsa Pushkinskaya, Vladivostok 690001
Tel: (7) (4232) 30-00-70
Fax: (7) (4232) 30-00-91
After-hours emergencies: (7) (4232) 71 00 67
Email: vladcons@state.gov

Yekaterinburg
Ulitsa Gogolya 15a, 4th floor, Yekaterinburg 620151
Tel: (7) (343)379-3001
Fax: (7) (343) 379-4515
After-hours emergencies: (7) 8 902 84 16653
Email: consulyekat@state.gov

Travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

For information on general crime and security issues, U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's Country Specific Information of Russia as well as The Worldwide Caution Located on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.