The U.S. State Department regularly issues advisories to update travelers on concerns related to certain countries.

A handful of countries reach the highest level of these advisories – Level 4: Do Not Travel – due to extremely dangerous conditions in those areas.

One of these countries is Russia, as confirmed by a State Department update reissued May 8. Americans are warned not to travel to Russia for a variety of reasons, including the dangers associated with the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine. Russian security officials harass travelers, who can also face wrongful detention.

Local laws are enforced arbitrarily and terrorist acts are possible.

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Travelers to Russia also face added risks due to the lack of protection from the U.S. Embassy, especially outside of Moscow. There is no guarantee U.S. citizens will have access to consular services or be released before their entire prison sentence is served.

“The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals remains higher,” the State Department warned. “Even if a case is determined wrongful, there is no guarantee of release.”

With peaceful assembly and freedom of speech not protected rights in Russia, U.S. citizens who join a protest are particularly at risk. People who bring electronic devices should assume all communications are being monitored and be aware that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia. Electronic money transfers from America to Russia are nearly impossible.

Air traffic is especially dangerous and the Federal Aviation Administration has downgraded Russia’s airspace from Category 1 to Category 2 due to safety concerns. U.S. flights in certain areas of Russia are banned.

Dual citizens at risk

Even people with dual U.S.-Russian citizenship face dangers traveling to the country. Russia does not recognize dual citizenship and has blocked American consular officers from visiting detained people. It has even gone as far as forcing people with dual citizenship to join the military and prevented them from leaving the country.

Other countries on the “Do Not Travel” list

Russia is one of several countries on the State Department’s “Level 4: Do Not Travel” list. Others include Venezuela, North Korea, Yemen, Iran, South Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Ukraine, Haiti, Somalia and Sudan.