SAFETY & SECURITY
Terrorism / Security
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
On 9 December 2007, a bomb exploded on a bus in the southern Russian town of Nevinnomyssk, which killed two and injured seven. The Russian authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion.
On 31 October 2007 there was an explosion on a bus in Tolyatti. Media reports have suggested that seven were killed and up to forty injured. The Russian authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion.
On 13 August 2007 there was an explosion in Novgorod Region which derailed and seriously damaged a train travelling from Moscow to St Petersburg. No British citizens were injured.
In July 2007 fighters linked to the rebel cells in Chechnya and elsewhere in the North Caucasus issued generic statements warning tourists not to visit Kabardino-Balkaria, listing casinos, hotels and bars as legitimate targets for terrorist-style activity. But it is unclear whether these groups have the capability to mount such operations.
Over the past two years particular threats have come from suicide attacks in public places in Moscow, including the Metro system, and hostage taking. The risk of terrorism in Moscow could rise quickly in relation to any escalation of violence in the North Caucasus.
You should remain vigilant in all public places, including tourist sites and crowded places, particularly where access is not controlled e.g. open-air events, markets, etc.
We advise against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan because of the security situation in the North Cacasus. This also includes the regions of Budyonnovsky, Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky and Kurskoy in east and south Stavropol Krai, which border Chechnya and Dagestan.
We also advise against all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area), since terrorism and kidnapping in these regions remain a serious problem. You should seek security advice before travelling.
As well as the ongoing conflict in Chechnya, terrorist attacks have occurred throughout the North Caucasus, including incidents in Beslan and Vladikavkaz in North Ossetia, Nalchik, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, and Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan. Further violence in the North Caucasus region is likely.
Kidnapping in the region is common and Westerners are particularly vulnerable: four Western hostages, including three Britons, were murdered in Chechnya in December 1998 and a Dutch aid worker was kidnapped in Dagestan in August 2002, spending 21 months in captivity.
You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.
Crime
As in most countries, cities in Russia have their fair share of petty crime. You should be alert at all times to the possibility of mugging, pickpocketing and theft from vehicles or hotel rooms. Be particularly alert to groups of women and children who beg, and pickpockets around the main railway concourses.
Take care when drinking with or meeting casual or new acquaintances in bars, restaurants or night-clubs, as there have been incidents of robbery and violence involving foreigners, amongst them British nationals. Pay particular attention when drinking alcohol. Drink spiking followed by robbery is prevalent and can also lead to violence and/or abuse. Unconscious victims are often left outside, which can be life threatening in the winter months. Beware of drinks which have not been poured in your sight, do not leave your drink unattended and do not accept any drink given to you by a stranger or someone you have just met.
In St Petersburg there has been a sharp increase in street crime since April 2004; tourists have been specifically targeted. Since April 2005 the number of cases of tourists being held up at knifepoint on the metro and buses have increased. These crimes are carried out by well-organised gangs. You should be especially aware of pickpockets in the main tourist areas.
Incidents of bogus police officers harassing and robbing tourists have also been reported. If you are stopped always insist on seeing ID. Avoid openly carrying expensive items, or anything that might easily identify you as a tourist. Incidents of armed violence in major cities are usually linked to criminal/business activities and are not usually directed against foreign visitors. There have also been bomb attacks linked to criminal disputes.
Racially Motivated Attacks
Racially motivated attacks by racist "skinhead" groups do occur in Russia. Racially motivated attacks increase around 20 April, the anniversary of Adolf Hitler’s birthday. Although the great majority of visitors experience no difficulties, there has been a substantial increase in the number of attacks on foreign nationals, especially in large urban areas. We recommend that travellers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent take extra care.
On 21 August 2006 an explosion in a Moscow market caused approximately twelve fatalities, with thirty-five injured. No British citizens were among the casualties. The authorities have established that this was a racially motivated act and two men have been arrested.
Scams
There are a number of services offering addresses and contact information for Russian women who are looking to become romantically involved with Western Europeans. A number of prospective suitors have entered into correspondence, only later to be defrauded. If this occurs, there is little that the British Government can do to assist in the recovery of any capital outlay. We advise that you exercise the appropriate level of caution if entering into correspondence.
Health
A Reciprocal Health Care Agreement operates between the UK and Russia. This entitles British nationals to free treatment in a Russian hospital. However, any treatment you receive is likely to be limited. Food poisoning, tuberculosis and rabies are prevalent throughout Russia. There is also a risk of tick-borne encephalitis in rural and wooded areas. Incidences of infection with HIV continue to increase and the Chief Public Health Officer announced that there are 370,000 officially registered cases in Russia. Tap water is not drinkable anywhere in Russia. Caution should be exercised and local advice sought. Bottled mineral water is widely available.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you advice on vaccination requirements for Russia.
For further information on endemic diseases, like malaria, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for Russia you should check the website of NaTHNaC
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
In December 2007 an outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in chickens on a farm in Rostovskaya province was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health. In mid-February 2007 the Russian authorities confirmed a number of outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in the area around Moscow. The virus has currently only been found in household flocks, and no cases have been reported on commercial farms. The Russian authorities have taken action to control the outbreak, and have placed several areas under quarantine. At present we have no evidence that the outbreaks pose a risk to humans.
In 2005 there were reports of outbreaks of avian influenza in a number of other regions in Russia, including Tula, Tambov, Kurgan, Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk and Krasnodar. The European Union has banned imports of live birds and feathers from Russia (with the exception of Kaliningrad and some areas adjacent to the Finnish Border) as a precautionary measure. No human infections or deaths have been reported.
The risk to humans from avian influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
Reference point: www.fco.gov.org / Jun10