Warden Messages
Warden Message: Rise in Racially Motivated Crimes
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow and Consulates General in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, and Vladivostok wish to inform U.S. citizens in the Russian Federation that racially motivated crime appears to be on the rise in Moscow and other large Russian cities. According to press reports, nearly 100 racial incidents were reported for 2008, more than four times the number reported in 2004. Foreigners have been targeted, especially individuals who physically do not resemble ethnic Russians. Incidents have ranged from minor harassment to violent attacks and even murder. Recent incidents include the assault and robbery of an Asian diplomat, and an attack on an African-American student.
The Embassy believes this trend could continue and possibly escalate as the economic situation in Russia worsens. All U.S. citizens should exercise caution, especially those of Asian, Latin American, or African heritage. Areas to avoid or to be especially alert include metro/train stations, public squares, markets, and other open venues where “skinheads” or other xenophobes are known to congregate. If you plan to travel to these venues, please ensure that you carry all appropriate identifying documents, travel in well lit areas, and avoid traveling alone or late at night.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, 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 U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
In case of an after-hours emergency, please contact the Embassy or nearest Consulate General as soon as possible. U.S. citizens may also wish to review safety information on the Embassy website, http://moscow.usembassy.gov.
U.S. Embassy Moscow Contact Info: 21 Novinsky Bulvar, Moscow (Metro Barrikadnaya) tel. (7) (495) 728-5577. The after-hours emergency telephone number is (7) (495) 728-5000.
St. Petersburg:
15 Ulitsa Furshtadtskaya, St. Petersburg 191028
Tel: (7) (812) 331-2600
Fax: (7) (812) 331-2646
Email: StPetersburgACS@state.gov
Website: http://stpetersburg.
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
E-mail: vladcons@state.gov
Website: http://vladivostok.
Yekaterinburg:
Ulitsa Gogolya 15a, 4th floor, Yekaterinburg 620151
Tel: (7) (343)379-3001
Fax: (7) (343) 379-4515
After-hours emergencies: (7) 8 902 84 16653
Email: consulyekat@state.gov
Website: http://yekaterinburg.