The latest travel advice, which specifically states “do not travel to Russia,” was released on Monday, according to The Washington Examiner. The danger was placed at Level 4, which is the greatest for international travelers.
“Monday, amid growing worries about unjustified detentions, the State Department issued a stern warning to all American citizens in Russia, encouraging them to leave “immediately.”
“The agency was blunt in its advice to Americans considering traveling to Russia: “Do not travel to Russia.” Although it is unclear why authorities altered their travel advice, military chiefs have been raising the alarm that Russia is preparing for a significant uptick in its violent conflict with adjacent Ukraine.”
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow “advised against traveling to Russia because of the unpredictable effects of the unprovoked massive invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces, the possibility of harassment and the potential for the single-out treatment of American citizens for detention by Russian gov’t security officials, and the arbitrary application of local law.”
The explanation provided for the alert is exceedingly vague and offers no new details. What actually has changed considering that Russia has been occupying Ukraine for a year now? Especially to the point of alerting Americans that Russian security personnel may now detain them?
There is certainly going to be a significant event, and the smart money is on Russia beginning its much-discussed massive attack in the Donbas region of Ukraine. According to RedState, Ukraine’s military is also preparing an operation around this time (prior to April), which might result in a conflict and the deadliest combat of the war yet.
How adamant is Putin about “winning” his conflict with Ukraine? That will have the most impact on how far he takes this new attack. Although the Western countries are pouring military supplies into Ukraine, you still need people. The disadvantage for Ukraine is that. Russia might be able to overrun the front via sheer numbers, but it would almost probably come at a high cost. Now that saving face seems to be out of the question, is that the direction Putin wants to go?
Since last Fall, there has been a feeling that things are at their worst, particularly in the American press. Unless Russian authorities have a sudden change of heart, that is probably not the case. That’s unlikely to happen given their recent military buildup on the border. Once more, things are about to turn really awful.
