Tourism amid turmoil: Russian visitors enter Israel despite regional strikes

In the past two weeks, roughly 1,000 Russian tourists have entered Israel, the country’s Ministry of Tourism reported, though officials did not specify how many Russian nationals remain in the country.

“The figures refer specifically to those who arrived before the onset of the conflict [with Iran] and may still be in the country,” the ministry said. The Russian Embassy in Israel has not reported any casualties among Russian citizens on Israeli territory.

The influx comes after Israel and the United States launched a military operation in Iran on February 28. In retaliation, Tehran struck targets in Israel and US military bases across the Middle East, leading to the closure of regional airspace.

According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), approximately 3,900 Russian tourists had departed the Gulf states by March 2, representing less than 10% of the Russian tourist population currently in the region.

By Vafa Guliyeva