CHINA GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENT
City & Country
Dates of travel
Students affected
RUSSIA
July 2016 to June 2017
Study abroad students going to
Russia
Prepared by
Date
Sussex Abroad Office
11th April 2016
Before you go
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides travel advice by country. It covers safety and security, local laws and customs, entry requirements,
health and natural disasters along with a host of other useful information. We strongly recommend that students read the section related to their destination
prior to departure and before undertaking any trip to another part of the county/region.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia
Visa regulations: To enter Russia you’ll need a visa before travel - make sure you apply for the correct type and duration of visa. During periods of high
demand, you should apply for your visa well in advance. From 10 December 2014 Russian diplomatic missions and the visa application centres in London
and Edinburgh will collect biometric data (scanned fingerprints) from visa applicants above the age of 12. This applies to each Russian entry or transit visa
application. For further information see the Russian Embassy website and the website of VFS Global who manage Russian visa applications on
behalf of the Embassy. On receiving your visa you should check the details of the visa including the validity dates and passport number carefully to ensure
they are correct. Before you travel to Russia make sure you are aware of the terms and conditions attached to your visa, for both entry and exit. Please note
that you should carefully adhere to the validity and conditions of your visa.
Passport visa regulations: Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months after the expiry date of your visa.
Emergency number: 112 is the single emergency number for any emergency service in Russia.
Vaccinations: Visit your health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures.
Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre on the TravelHealthPro website
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Type
Crime/security:
Local Travel
Nature of the Hazards
Most visits to Russia are trouble-free, but
petty crime does happen in cities. Drinkspiking leading to robbery, violence and/or
abuse does happen. Unconscious victims
are often left outside, which can be life
threatening in the winter months.
In St Petersburg there have been reports
of street crime where tourists have been
specifically targeted. These crimes are
carried out by well-organised gangs.
Bogus police officers have harassed and
robbed tourists.
Procedures to minimise risks
Be alert to the possibility of mugging, pick pocketing and theft
from vehicles or hotel rooms. Be wary of groups of women and
children who beg. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them
at all times.
Passports have been reported stolen or
lost from British nationals when in the
airports in Moscow
Look after your passport at all times, especially in major
transport hubs and busy areas. Be particularly vigilant when
passing through the airports, particularly in the baggage
collection area and outside the arrivals hall.
The North Caucasus remains an unstable
and potentially dangerous region. Crossborder traffic with Georgia and Azerbaijan
is also subject to restrictions.
Avoid these areas.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(FCO) advise against all travel to within
10km of the border with the Ukrainian
Donetsk and Lugansk Oblasts, within
10km of the border with the Ukrainian
Kharkiv Oblast, and against all travel to
Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan and
the districts of Budyonnovsky,
Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky
and Kursky in Stavropol Krai.
Avoid these areas
Be aware of pickpockets in the main tourist areas and around
the main railway concourses. If you are stopped by police
always insist on seeing identification. Avoid openly carrying
expensive items, or anything that might easily identify you as a
tourist. Avoid walking about late at night alone.
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and all but essential travel to North
Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and
Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus
area).
Official looking taxis can be unlicensed.
Don’t share a taxi with strangers or flag down what may appear
to be an official taxi. Where possible ask your hotel to get a taxi
for you, or ask for the telephone number of a reputable taxi
company. You should agree the fare before getting into the
taxi.
Crime can occur on overnight train
journeys.
If you are travelling by overnight train in a sleeping
compartment, store valuables in the container under the bed or
seat. Don’t leave your sleeping compartment unoccupied as
some compartments only have a simple lock on the sliding
door. On some trains there may be an additional security
device, which can be attached to the fitted handle/lock unit.
There may also be a steel switch at head-height on the door
panel which, when pulled down, prevents the closed door from
being slid open.
Don’t agree to look after the luggage of a fellow traveler or
allow it to be stored in your compartment.
Political Situation
Political rallies and demonstrations occur
in large cities across Russia, usually with
notice and permission from the authorities.
Check media for the latest information, be vigilant, and avoid
any demonstrations.
Terrorism
There is a high threat from terrorism.
Although there is no indication that British
nationals or interests have been specific
targets, attacks could be indiscriminate,
including in places frequented by
foreigners. The main terrorist threat in
Russia comes from Islamist groups in the
North Caucasus region.
You should remain vigilant in all public places, including tourist
sites and crowded areas, particularly where access is not
controlled (eg open-air events and markets) and in major
transport hubs.
Kidnapping
There is a history of kidnapping in the
North Caucasus region and westerners
Avoid these areas
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have been particularly vulnerable.
You can expect a long sentence for
possession of even small
quantities of drugs, regardless of
whether they are ‘hard’ or ‘soft’
Don’t become involved with drugs.
If you can’t produce your passport when
asked, you will be fined.
You must carry your original passport at all times. A copy will
not be sufficient.
Travel
Homosexuality is legal in Russia, but there
is still intolerance among some sections of
the population.
Be careful about public displays of affection.
Natural Disasters
There are occasional occurrences of
flooding in southern regions, and forest
fires, mainly in the far eastern areas and
Siberia.
Local laws
Small earth tremors are recorded
throughout the year without
consequences.
To learn more about what to do before, during and after an
earthquake, see the website of the US Federal Emergency
Management Agency.
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