Germany urges all citizens to exit Russia amid drone threats
The German Federal Foreign Office expanded its travel warnings for the Russian Federation, urging all German citizens currently inside the country to exit immediately. While previous official directives primarily targeted Russian administrative regions bordering Ukraine, the updated mandate applies to the entire territory of the Russian Federation.
German authorities warned that the threat of unmanned aerial vehicle attacks remains critical throughout the country. Major urban centers, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding Sankt Petersburg region, have become increasingly frequent targets of massive drone strikes over recent months.
Airspace disruptions and regional hazards
Diplomatic officials noted that despite significant enhancements to the air defense networks surrounding Moscow, debris from intercepted drones has caused structural damage. The highest security risks remain concentrated in the regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Voronezh, and Rostov, alongside the Krasnodar territory.
The Ministry emphasized that security conditions can deteriorate abruptly as the geopolitical conflict continues to escalate. Ongoing military drone operations frequently prompt Russian civil aviation authorities to enforce immediate airport closures. This security measure results in widespread domestic flight delays and cancellations. Additionally, regional fuel supply deficits continue to disrupt transit logistics across several provinces.
Consular limitations and dual-citizenship risks
Beyond localized kinetic strikes, the updated advisory highlights severe legal and human rights risks for foreign nationals. Individuals holding German citizenship or dual German-Russian nationality face a heightened risk of arbitrary detention by state security apparatuses.
The German government warned that its capacity to provide administrative protection or consular assistance to detained dual citizens remains severely restricted. Foreign nationals who choose to remain in Russia are strongly urged to avoid crowded public spaces and monitor official internal security reports. Furthermore, the Ministry instructed remaining citizens to register immediately with ELEFAND, the national crisis-signaling and emergency registry system.
The strategic escalation aligns with equivalent security policies enacted by Western allies. The US State Department previously maintained its maximum Level 4 travel advisory for the Russian Federation. The American directive similarly orders citizens to avoid all travel to Russia and mandates an immediate exit for those currently remaining inside the country, citing arbitrary law enforcement and systemic security threats.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
