U.S. citizens should be aware that Yekaterinburg city authorities have issued a permit for a demonstration to recognize the one-year anniversary of Russia’s occupation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. Beginning at or near 1700 on March 18, 2015, more than 1,000 participants may assemble at the location known as “Ploshad Truda,” or “Labor Square.” This small park is located to the southwest of the intersection of Lenin Street and Pushkin Street in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Social organizations, trade and student unions, and regional veterans of Afghanistan are expected to participate. This event marks the one-year anniversary of Russia’s occupation of Crimea. As of the publication of this notice, the organizers have not expressed any anti-U.S. statements or threats.
There will be a larger-than-usual police presence in and around the area of the square to monitor the events. Due to the possibility of violence, the U.S. Consulate strongly advises all U.S. citizens to avoid this area. The potential for violence is always present during nationalist demonstrations, and spontaneous demonstrations of support may appear anywhere throughout the city, at any time of day.
Please also note the following guidance from the U.S. Department of State’s Country Specific Information Sheet for the Russian Federation: “U.S. citizens should avoid all public demonstrations, whether properly authorized by local officials or not, and avoid any large crowds and public gatherings that lack enhanced security measures.”
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 don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s 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 “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. embassy or Consulates General 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 to have travel information at your fingertips.
The U.S. Consulate General in Yekaterinburg is located at 15 Gogol Street and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday, +7 (343) 379-3001. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Consulate General Yekaterinburg is +7 89-02-84-16-653. U.S. citizens with questions or concerns may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:
- U.S. Embassy Moscow is located at 21 Novinsky Blvd., Moscow and is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; telephone + 7 (495) 728-5577. For after hours emergencies, please call +7 (495) 728-5000.
- U.S. Consulate General St. Petersburg is located at 15 Furshtatskaya Street and is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; telephone +7 (812) 331-2600. For after hours emergencies, please call +7 (812) 331-2600.
- U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok is located at32 Pushkinskaya Street and is open Monday thru Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; telephone +7 (4232) 30-00-70. For after hours emergencies, please call +7 (914) 791-0067.
