Russia criticizes US embassy’s instructions to Americans to evacuate: Report

The US embassy in Russia instructed Americans to have evacuation plans ready, stating that Moscow was under threat of attack, and there might be attacks along the shared Russia-Ukraine border, Reuters reported. This drew sharp criticism from the Russian government, as the agency reported Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, questioning if the US had passed this information onto Russia. 

She quizzed, “And if not, how is one to understand all of this?”, as per Reuters. 

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According to Reuters, the embassy’s warning to Americans in Russia says, “There have been threats of attacks against shopping centres, railway and metro stations, and other public gathering places in major urban areas, including Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as in areas of heightened tension along the Russian border with Ukraine. Review your personal security plans. Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance”. 

The notice from the embassy also recommended actions like avoiding crowds, being aware of surroundings, and reviewing personal security plans, the New York Post reported. 

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While the tensions initially began between Russia and Ukraine, the US has very much stepped into the fray now. Russia faces threats of sanctions from the US if they invade Ukraine. However, for now, the US has held off on them, despite Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging the country to take proactive measures. 

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With the situation worsening along the Ukraine border, the US already instructed Americans in Ukraine to evacuate and cleared out the embassy in Kyiv too. At the time, the Joe Biden-led government made it clear that military evacuation wouldn’t be on the cards in the event of a full-scale Russian invasion. 

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The US and Russia have locked horns over the troop buildup at Ukraine’s borders. While Russia has continuously rubbished reports of its planned invasion, it remains staunch in its stance that NATO shouldn’t let Ukraine in, and has asked the organization to reduce military presence in eastern Europe as well.