RussiaGateway.COM » U.S. Embassy in Moscow released the Warden Message on August 18, 2008:

This warden message provides information for U.S. citizens in the Russian Federation regarding areas bordering the conflict zone in Georgia.

Areas Adjacent to the Conflict Zone — American citizens in the Russian Federation are advised to avoid North Ossetia, and all areas near the Russian-Georgian border. Although there is no information to suggest that the security situation in other areas of the Russian Federation has changed, the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. American citizens residing in these areas should depart immediately, as the safety of Americans and other foreigners cannot be effectively guaranteed.

Demonstrations — Spontaneous demonstrations in Russia, while infrequent, do occur. We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

For information on the situation in Georgia, travelers should consult the website of the Embassy in Tbilisi: http://georgia.usembassy.gov/ or the Department of State’s website at http://travel.state.gov.

The U.S. Embassy’s consular section is located at Novinskiy Bulvar 21, Moscow, metro station Barrikadnaya. The Embassy’s switchboard is tel. (7) (495) 728-5000, and the American Citizen Services Unit at tel. (7) (495) 728-5577, e-mail moscowwarden@state.gov. In the event of an after-hours emergency, please contact the main switchboard.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information for Russia, and health information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. Consulates General are located in:

St. Petersburg

15 Ulitsa Furshtadtskaya, St. Petersburg 191028

Tel: (7) (812) 331-2600

Fax: (7) (812) 331-2646

Email: StPetersburgACS@state.gov

Web site: http://stpetersburg.usconsulate.gov

Vladivostok

32 Ulitsa Pushkinskaya, Vladivostok 690001

Tel: (7) (4232) 30-00-70

Fax: (7) (4232) 30-00-91

After-hours emergencies: (7) (4232) 71 00 67