German government extends travel warning to all of Russia

The Ukrainian army has significantly expanded its drone operations against targets deep in the Russian rear in recent months. According to the Foreign Office, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and military installations are affected. "Das Abwehrsystem um Moskau wurde zwar deutlich ausgebaut; dennoch ist es infolge von Drohnenangriffen bzw. aufgrund herabfallender Wrackteile zu teilweise erheblichen Schäden gekommen," the ministry explained.

Impact on energy and transport

The damage to Russian refineries is having a direct effect on fuel supply. "Infolge von Beschädigungen russischer Raffinerien komme es auch zu Engpässen in der Kraftstoffversorgung," according to the Foreign Office. In several regions, including Moscow, this has temporarily led to quantity restrictions on the sale of fuels.

Air travel is also severely affected, according to the authority. "Insbesondere im Westen der Russischen Föderation, aber auch bis weit in die Mitte sowie den Süden des Landes kommt es aus Sicherheitsgründen immer wieder zur mehrstündigen Sperrung von Flughäfen," a spokesperson explained. Flight cancellations and chaotic conditions at the affected airports are the result. Direct air traffic between Russia and Germany as well as other European states has been suspended, but flights via international hubs such as Istanbul remain possible.

Risks for German travelers

For German nationals and German-Russian dual citizens, there is also the risk of arbitrary arrests. The Foreign Office points to a tense security policy situation and a Russian practice of taking foreign citizens into custody on sometimes flimsy pretexts. The travel warning therefore also includes an explicit call for immediate departure for Germans already in the country.

In addition, the authority warns of possible attacks on the public transport network. "Ferner können Angriffe auf das öffentliche Verkehrsnetz, insbesondere den Zugverkehr, nicht ausgeschlossen werden," the statement says. Travelers are advised to avoid train stations and public transport in major cities and to keep themselves informed about the security situation at their destination on an ongoing basis.

The expansion of the travel warning stands in the context of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than four years. With the expansion of Ukrainian drone strikes to the Russian rear, the risk situation is also changing for foreign travelers who are in Russia or are planning a trip there.

Background: Drone war and travel warning

The Foreign Office urgently advises against travel to Russia and recommends that German nationals still in the country consider a swift departure. The German Embassy in Moscow maintains limited consular services, but capacities for emergencies are limited.

The German government is in contact with its European partners to monitor developments in the situation. Other EU states have also tightened their travel advisories for Russia in recent weeks. Consular assistance in the country will be maintained, but could be limited in the event of a further escalation of the situation.

According to the Foreign Office, the travel warning applies indefinitely until further notice. A lifting would only be possible once the security situation across the entire territory of Russia has substantially improved and Russian authorities are once again able to guarantee reliable travel conditions.

Citizens can obtain up-to-date information via the Foreign Office website and the travel and security advisories of German representations abroad. The ministry's citizen hotline is also available for questions.