Register your overseas travel and/or residential details here.
Due to the extreme risk to your security, we continue to advise against all travel to the North Caucasus region. Armed confrontation, terrorist activity and kidnappings continue to occur in this region. Foreigners travelling in this area are particularly vulnerable.
In the rest of Russia, there is some risk to your security and caution should be exercised, particularly in public places and events where large numbers of people are gathered. The Russian authorities have warned of the possibility of further terrorist attacks including in Moscow.
We advise against travel to the North Caucasus region (including Chechnya, Dagestan, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Karbadino-Balkaria, the south-east parts of the Stavropol region and Karachay-Cherkessia) where the security situation continues to be very unstable and dangerous. Previous activity has included armed confrontations, attacks on government security forces and infrastructure, a school siege at Beslan and bombings. Kidnapping in this region continues to take place and foreigners have disappeared and remain missing. In past years several foreigners taken hostage were subsequently murdered. You are taking an extreme risk, if despite this advice, you travel to this area, and the Embassy’s help in the case of an emergency would be extremely limited.
Terrorism, often linked to the Chechen conflict, has spread to other parts of Russia, most notably Moscow. Terrorist actions in, or linked to, Moscow have included the blowing up of two domestic airliners, suicide bombings on Moscow streets, metro stations and at a rock concert.
Russian authorities have warned that further terrorist attacks may occur. New Zealanders should therefore remain vigilant in all public places, especially areas where access is not controlled, particularly in Moscow, St Petersburg and other large Russian cities.
Racist attacks by skinhead or ultra-nationalist groups are increasing. People who are dark or noticeably foreign in appearance are more likely to be targeted. Asian traders were reported to be the target of a bombing of a market in east Moscow that killed 11 people in August 2006. Foreign students and tourists have also been attacked. There have been reports of harassment and extortion of foreigners by police or other local officials.
In Moscow and St Petersburg pick-pocketing is on the increase and tourists are specifically targeted. Tourists have been held up at knifepoint on buses and in the metro in St Petersburg. In bars, restaurants and nightclubs there have been instances of food and drinks being spiked with drugs and patrons then being robbed and assaulted.
Some areas of Russia are closed to foreigners unless government permission has been obtained. Those planning to travel to eastern Russia and Siberia away from the common travel routes should check with local authorities whether permission is needed before setting out.
Keep family/friends informed of your itinerary.
New Zealanders travelling to or resident in Russia should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies that include provision for medical evacuation by air.
See our regional advice for Europe
Other Countries' Travel Advisories
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Britain - United States - Canada - Australia
Abolition of border controls in Europe
Contact details are
Street Address 44 Ulitsa Povarskaya, Moscow 121069, Russia
Telephone +7 495 956 3579 / 956 3580 Facsimile +7 495 956 3583
Email nzembmos@umail.ru
Website New Zealand Embassy Moscow [external link]
Office Hours Mon - Fri 0900 - 1230, 1330 - 1730 hrs
Page last updated: Wednesday, 23 April 2008, 10:14 NZST
