Embassy Moscow informs U.S. citizens that various political parties plan to hold a large march under the banner of “Vesna” (Spring) on Sunday, March 1, 2015, at 2:00 pm in the Marino area of southeast Moscow. The march will take place in proximity to the Bratislavskaya Metro Station (м. Братиславская) near the end of the Green Line, approximately 20 kilometers from the U.S. Embassy. Participants will gather at the corner of Belorechenskaya and Novomarinskaya streets, walk around the perimeter of Artem Borovik Park, and end at the corner of Lyublinskaya and Pererva Steets near the Bratislavskaya Metro Station (click to see the map from the “Vesna” site for details). Several thousand individuals are expected to participate (a permit has been issued for up to 100,000 people) and there will be a sizeable police presence to monitor the march.
The Embassy is aware of at least three other scheduled protests/marches which will take place in different locations throughout Moscow on Sunday March 1, 2015. Details for each event follow. The Communist Party of Russia (KPRF) plans to hold a demonstration in Central Moscow. Originally, the KPRF planned to march from Pushkin Square to the White House (across the street from the U.S. Embassy). The police have denied the request and suggested an alternative location, but the group has refused to rally at the alternate site. According to the Moscow Central administration, the KPRF likely will hold a static demonstration at Tverskoy Bulvar without any marching. At this juncture, the group is still in negotiations with municipal authorities, and a specific time and location have yet to be determined. The exact number of participants is also unknown at this time, but it is expected to be considerably smaller than the “Vesna” march.
Other smaller protest will also be occurring throughout Moscow on March 1.The political organization Trudovaya Rossiya will hold a demonstration at 1:30pm at Krasnopresnenskaya Zastava Square, near the Ulitsa 1905 Goda metro station. Organizers expect approximately 500 people. The Mossovet political organization will be holding a demonstration from 12:00 – 1:00pm at Suvorovskaya Square near the Dostoyevskaya metro station. 1,500 people are expected to participate.
Because of the large size of the “Vesna” march and the potential for violence, U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the Marino area on Sunday, March 1, 2015. Citizens should also be aware of the likelihood of a communist party-led demonstration and other smaller demonstrations in Central Moscow on the same day at the locations listed above. Any rally or march in these areas should also be avoided.
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.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Russia enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you do not have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Russia. For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from within the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for travel information at your fingertips.
The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow assists U.S. citizens in Russia. We can help you with passport issuance and renewal, voter assistance, notarials, and registering a child born abroad. We also provide emergency services for U.S. citizens in case of a disaster or in case of illness, arrest, death or destitution while in Russia.
Appointments are required for all non-emergency services; you can make an appointment by calling the ACS unit at 7 (495) 728-5577, or you may click here to schedule an appointment online. To contact us with questions, please write to moscowwarden@state.gov or visit the Embassy website.
Emergency Contact Information in Russia:
U.S. Embassy Moscow:
U.S. citizens with an emergency during regular office hours (M-F 9:00am-6:00pm, excluding Russian and U.S. holidays) are welcome to visit the ACS unit at the U.S. Embassy, 21 Novinsky Blvd., Moscow. Tel: +7 (495) 728-5577 – 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., weekdays. You can make an appointment by calling the ACS unit at +7 (495) 728-5577, or you may schedule an appointment online. To contact us with questions, please write to moscowwarden@state.gov or visit the Embassy website at https://ru.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/.
For after-hours emergencies, call +7 (495) 728-5000 after 6:00 pm, and on weekends and holidays.
U.S. Consulate General St. Petersburg:
The U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg is located at 15 Furshatskaya 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. Consular Agency Yuzho-Sakhalinsk:
Please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Vladivostok.
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 at https://ru.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/yekaterinburg/.
For after-hours emergencies, you may call the Duty Officer at +7 (917) 569-3549.
