US urges its citizens to leave Russia “immediately” as they may be arrested

The US Department of States has called on its citizens to “immediately leave Russia” as they may be signed out and detained for the US’ support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. 

 

The travel advisory is both for Americans traveling or living in Russia, and came days after a US diplomat was able to visit detained basketball star Brittney Griner, who has been held in Russian custody for more than a month.

 

Griner, who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, was detained at a Moscow airport on February 17 on charges of carrying vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil in her luggage.

 

She faces up to 10 years in prison.

 

The arrest came shortly after  relations between Moscow and the West worsened over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.