Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Planned Opposition March

UNITED STATES EMBASSY MOSCOW, RUSSIA | January 11, 2013

U.S. citizens are informed City officials have approved the plans for an opposition march on Sunday, January 13 to protest recent legislation.  The march is scheduled to proceed from Pushkinskaya Square along the Boulevard Ring to the square located at Sakharov Prospekt.  It is scheduled to last from 1300 to 1630 local time.  Up to 20,000 people are sanctioned to participate in the action

While the march is not expected to turn violent, a larger-than-usual police presence will likely be evident in and around downtown Moscow to monitor the event. U.S. citizens should also be aware of the possibility for counter-demonstrations or spontaneous protest activity throughout the Moscow region and other urban areas of Russia. Such large gatherings may further cause significant traffic and mass-transit disruptions.

Please 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.”

Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, monitor local news stations for updates.  Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.  For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad.” 

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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) athttps://step.state.gov/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 at http://travel.state.gov, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution.  Read the Country Specific Information for Russia at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html.  For additional information, refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" 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 at https://mobile.twitter.com/travelgov and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/travelgov, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smart-traveler/id442693988?mt=8  to have travel information at your fingertips. 
 
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 American 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.  The Embassy’s website is http://moscow.usembassy.gov. 

Emergency Contact Information in Russia: 

U.S. Embassy Moscow:

American Citizens with an emergency during regular office hours (M-F 9am-6pm, 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 am to 6:00 pm, weekdays 
After Hours Emergencies Tel: (7) (495) 728-5000 - after 6:00 pm, weekends and holidays 

U.S. Consulate General St. Petersburg:

The U.S. Consulate General in St. Petersburg is located at 15 Furshatskaya Street.  You may contact the Consulate’s ACS unit by e-mail atStPetersburgACS@State.gov, by fax at (+7) (812) 331-2646. 

The consulate’s website is http://stpetersburg.usconsulate.gov 
Tel: (+7) (812) 331-2600

After Hours Emergencies Tel: (812) 331-2600 and listen to the recorded message for the Duty Officer’s cell phone number. 

U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok: 
Tel: (+7) (4232) 30-00-70 

U.S. Consulate General Yekaterinburg: 
Tel: (+7) (3432) 793-001 

The Embassy offers information about travel to Russia on our website, and we also encourage you to read the Country-Specific Information Sheet for the Russian Federation provided by the Department of State.