Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Potential Large Demonstrations in Moscow and Across Russia

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Potential Large Demonstrations in Moscow and Across Russia

April 6, 2017

U.S. Citizens are advised that there is a possibility of large-scale, government-sanctioned public rallies this evening, April 6, in central Moscow and on Saturday, April 8, in various cities in Russia.  Information on public media indicates that the event on April 6 in Moscow will start at 17:00 at Manezhnaya Ploschad and Aleksandrovsky Sad, which are the large public spaces behind the Kremlin.  In social and traditional media, one organizer has made anti-American references.

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens to avoid public demonstrations and to remain aware of their surroundings and patterns on public transportation services that might indicate that protests are gathering.  Of course, Metro services may be strained in that area this evening.

General Guidance

U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.  Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

For further information:

  • See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and France Country Specific Information.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Contact the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, located at 21 Novinsky Blvd. in Moscow, at +7 (495) 728-5577, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays or by e-mail at moscowwarden@state.gov or visit the Embassy website.  After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +7 (495) 728 5000 after 6:00 p.m. and on weekends and holidays.
  • U.S. Consulate General St. Petersburg:
    The U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg is located at 15 Furshtatskaya Street, Tel: +7 (812) 331-2600.  You may contact the Consulate’s ACS unit by e-mail at StPetersburgACS@state.gov , or by fax at +7 (812) 331-2646, or visit the Consulate website. For after-hours emergencies, call +7 (812) 331-2600 and listen to the recorded message for the Duty Officer’s cell phone number.
  • U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok
    The U.S. Consulate General is located at 32 Pushkinskaya Street, Vladivostok, Russia 690001, Tel.: +7 (423) 230-0070, fax: +7 (423) 230-0091, Emergency telephone:  +7 (914) 791-0067 (24 hours) E-mail:  vladcons@state.gov
  • U.S. Consulate General Yekaterinburg:
    The U.S. Consulate General in Yekaterinburg is located at 15 Gogolya Street, Tel: +7 (343) 793-001.  You may contact the Consulate’s ACS Unit by e-mail at ConsulYekat@state.gov or by fax at +7 (343) 379-4515, or visit the Consulate’s website. For after-hours emergencies, you may call the Duty Officer at +7 (917) 569-3549.
  • Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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