Germany urges citizens to leave Russia, expands travel warning

Germany has urged its citizens to leave Russia, as the Foreign Ministry broadened its travel warning to cover the entire country amid rising security risks.

The updated advisory marks a significant tightening of earlier guidance that had focused primarily on regions bordering Ukraine.

The ministry warned that the risk of drone attacks now extends across Russia, with Moscow, St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad region increasingly targeted by large-scale strikes in recent months.

“Despite the significant strengthening of the air defenсe system around Moscow, drone attacks and falling debris have caused damage, which in some cases has been quite substantial,” the advisory said.

Berlin identified the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Voronezh and Rostov regions, as well as the Krasnodar territory, as among the most dangerous areas.

The Foreign Ministry said that, amid the ongoing war, the level of risk could escalate rapidly and the overall security situation could deteriorate sharply.

It also warned of potential disruptions to air travel, noting that drone attacks have led to repeated restrictions on airport operations across Russia, causing delays and flight cancellations. The advisory further cited disruptions to fuel supplies in certain regions.

In addition to security threats, the ministry highlighted risks of arbitrary detention and limited access to consular assistance for German nationals, including those holding dual German-Russian citizenship.

Citizens who remain in Russia were advised to avoid large public gatherings, monitor official safety updates closely and register with the ELEFAND crisis alert system.

By Tamilla Hasanova