It seems like it is something that goes without saying, especially since Putin’s war began, but the State Department told Americans still in Russia and Ukraine to get out now. State Department spokesman Ned Price warned that Russian government security officials in Russia and Ukraine may target American citizens. He urged Americans to “depart immediately.” Price issued the warning Thursday during a press briefing.

“We reiterate that all U.S. citizens in Russia and Ukraine should depart immediately,” he said. The State Department updated its travel advisories to both Russia and Ukraine earlier this week. Price warned about potential harassment of U.S. citizens and singling out Americans out for detention.

“We take seriously our responsibility to inform U.S. citizens about developments that may impact their safety and security when they are traveling or residing outside of the United States,” Price said. “In recent weeks, as you’ve heard, we have seen reports that Russian security officials have singled out and detained U.S. citizens in Ukraine and in Russia itself.”

“We have also heard President Putin denigrate equality, free speech, and human rights for all,” Price continued. “For these reasons, we are warning U.S. citizens that Russian government security officials in both Russia and in Ukraine may be singling out U.S. citizens based on their nationality.”

The State Department advisory for Russia says that the ability for the U.S. embassy to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited. The message on the state department’s website basically says get out now but you’re on your own to make travel arrangements out of the country.

Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the singling out of U.S. citizens in Russia by Russian government security officials including for detention, the arbitrary enforcement of local law, limited flights into and out of Russia, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, and terrorism. U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart Russia immediately.

U.S. citizens should note that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and options to electronically transfer funds from the United States are extremely limited as a result of sanctions imposed on Russian banks. There are reports of cash shortages within Russia.

Limited commercial flight options and overland routes by car and bus are still open and available. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make arrangements on your own as soon as possible. The U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may suddenly become even more limited.

Even under normal circumstances, Russian officials look for reasons to detain Americans and other foreigners in their country. Most recently, WNBA player Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury was arrested at the Moscow airport on a drug charge of possession of vape cartridges. Her arrest really wasn’t made known until after Putin’s invasion into Ukraine though she was arrested in February.

In August 2019, American Trevor Reed was arrested on the pretext that he endangered the lives of two policemen while drunk. He was sentenced to a nine-year sentence in a penal colony in Mordovia. The US government called his trial a ‘theatre of the absurd’. He is still imprisoned and now rumored to be on a hunger strike in protest of being placed in solitary confinement.

A third American is in prison in Russia. Paul Whelan, a former Marine like Trevor Reed, is being held on what have been described as trumped-up charges. Trevor’s family thinks that both their son and Whelan are being held as bargaining chips. His family says Russia would use the leverage to demand the release of Russian spies.

Brittney Griner is said to be in good condition. Trevor Reed may be suffering from tuberculous, according to his parents. He is being denied medical treatment for that and for a broken rib.

It’s time for all Americans to leave Russia, especially the ones being detained on phony charges. They need to be allowed to come home.