Russia

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Russia because of the threat of terrorist activity, particularly by Chechen separatists, and the level of criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Russia. Terrorist attacks have occurred in Russian cities, including Moscow. Targets have included public transport and transport hubs, and public places frequented by foreigners. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by security services in recent years, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorists in attacking Russian locations.

On 24 January 2011, an explosion occurred at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport, which killed 35 people and injured many others. The Russian authorities described the blast as an act of terror.

The subway service in Moscow has been the repeated target of bomb attacks. In March 2010, two bomb attacks killed and injured dozens of people at Moscow metro stations Lubyanka and Park Kultury. These attacks were followed by others, mainly in the North Caucasus (see North Caucasus below for further information).

Public transport more broadly has been frequently attacked in Russia in recent years, resulting in death and injury. In November 2009, a bomb attack derailed the Nevsky express en route from Moscow to St Petersburg, killing 26 and injuring 92 people. A second device exploded nearby on the following day. The same train service was bombed in August 2007.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets include public transportation such as subways, trains and buses, airports, commercial and public places such as government buildings, residential complexes, hotels, restaurants, bars, schools, businesses, embassies, places of worship, markets and tourist areas.

Terrorist attacks can also occur in other major cities.

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

North Caucasus: Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, the south-east part of Stavropol bordering Chechnya, Karbardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia: We strongly advise you not to travel to the North Caucasus, in particular the regions of Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, the south-east part of Stavropol bordering Chechnya, Karbardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area), and Karachay-Cherkessia because of the threat of terrorist activity.

There have been a number of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, in the North Caucasus in recent years.

On 6 March 2012, a suicide bomber in Dagestan detonated a bomb near a police station, killing at least four police officers. On 22 September 2011, a bomb attack in Makhachkala, Dagestan, killed a policeman and injured over 60 people.

On 30 August 2011, a number of people were killed in a series of bomb explosions in Grozny, Chechnya.

In February 2011, three Russian tourists were reported to have been murdered by militants at Mount Elbrus in the Kabardino-Balkaria region. Russian authorities have been conducting counter-terrorism operations in the region since this attack. Tourists should note that travel restrictions may be imposed at short notice while these operations are in progress. If, despite our advice not to travel, you decide to go to this region, you should monitor local conditions through the media and travel operators in advance of your travel.

In October 2010, armed militants attacked the Parliament House in Grozny. Six people were killed and seventeen injured.
On 9 September 2010, a car-bomb attack occurred at a crowded marketplace in Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia, killing 19 people and injuring over 170.

Tensions in Georgia may also impact security in the area bordering Russia. See our travel advisory for Georgia for details.

Foreign nationals intending to travel to Chechnya and a number of other regions in the North Caucasus must first get permission from the Ministry of Interior.

You should avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings as they may turn violent.

Racially-motivated assaults continue to occur in Russia, particularly in Moscow and St Petersburg. Attacks are often perpetrated by skinhead groups or ultra-nationalists. There have been several large rallies by nationalists and neo-Nazis to protest against the presence of foreigners (particularly people from Central Asia and the Caucasus region) in Russia. On 11 December 2010, protests at Manezhnaya Square in central Moscow turned violent and a number of passers-by who appeared to be from Central Asia or the Caucasus region were attacked. You should avoid any such rallies. If you are of Asian or African descent, you should take extra care.

Kidnapping for political, ransom and revenge reasons is common in the Northern Caucasus. In the past, foreigners have been targeted. The Australian Government’s longstanding policy is that it does not make payments or concessions to kidnappers. The Australian Government considers paying ransoms increases the risk of further kidnappings.

Petty crime, pick-pocketing and mugging (sometimes committed by groups of children) is common, especially around tourist attractions such as Red Square, the Ismailovsky tourist market and the metro in Moscow and St Petersburg. Care should be taken with your personal belongings.

There is a high incidence of passport theft from foreign tourists.

Scams involving money and valuables apparently dropped by a passer-by are common. The unsuspecting traveller picks up the money to return it to the person and is told that it is not the correct amount. Travellers are advised not to pick up money, not to get involved in disputes with strangers over such incidents and to walk away immediately. Only exchange currency at bank counters. Travellers have become scam victims when trying to exchange money with strangers in the street or in a bank queue.

Assault and robbery occasionally occur in large cities. Tourists have been targeted.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. Keep your credit card in sight during transactions.

Travellers have been drugged and robbed while drinking in nightclubs and bars in Moscow or after accepting offers of food, drink or transportation from strangers.

There have been reports of harassment, mistreatment and extortion by police or other local officials.

Bomb explosions and arson attacks, which appear to have criminal motives rather than terrorist ones, have occurred in Moscow and other parts of Russia, particularly at busy markets. These attacks have caused fatalities. The Cherkizovsky/Ismailovsky markets in eastern Moscow, which attract large numbers of Russian and foreign shoppers, have a history of business conflicts including arson. In August 2006, an explosion at this market which killed up to ten people was linked to feuding between rival businesses or gangs.

Some Australian citizens have been defrauded by bogus internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes purportedly operating from Russia. These large-scale, well-organised scams typically result from connections made through internet dating schemes or chat rooms. Once a virtual relationship develops, the Australian citizen is asked by their friend or prospective marriage partner to send money to enable travel to Australia. Once the money has been received, the relationship is usually terminated and any chance of recovering the funds is highly unlikely.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money in Russia, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Consult with your bank to find out what is the most appropriate currency to carry and if your ATM card will work in Russia. Because of the risk of crime and ATM fraud we recommend you use ATMs inside bank premises and during business hours only. Travellers' cheques are not widely accepted, even in the main cities of Moscow and St Petersburg, and rarely in the regions.

Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Airline and air charter safety and maintenance standards vary throughout the world. It is not known whether maintenance procedures and safety standards on aircraft used on internal flights are always properly observed or whether passengers are covered by airline insurance.

For further information, please refer to our Aviation Safety and Security travel bulletin.

Russia does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Russian dual nationals who are arrested or detained.

Male Russian/Australian dual nationals between the ages of 18 and 27 may be subject to military conscription. Australian/Russian dual nationals should seek advice from the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Russia well in advance of travel.

Australian/Russian dual nationals are required to enter and leave Russia on a valid Russian passport. If the passport expires while they are in Russia, they must obtain a new Russian passport before departing. Australian/Russian dual nationals can also enter Russia on an emergency travel document issued by a Russian embassy or consulate, but they must get a new Russian passport before departure. The process of obtaining a new Russian passport routinely takes several months.

Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Severe winter weather can disrupt travel in Russia. If you are delayed, you should check when your visa is due to expire and contact local authorities about a visa extension if required.

The most common accident likely to befall visitors to Russia during winter is slipping on ice. Take care when walking in snowy/icy conditions, because falls can result in serious damage such as broken bones, back injuries and paralysis.

Every year during winter, a number of people are injured or killed in snow-related accidents. These include falls, traffic accidents, avalanches, snow falling from roofs and prolonged exposure to extreme cold.

During summer, forest and peat fires can occur in Russia including in the Moscow region. Fires in 2010 resulted in widespread destruction of property and loss of life.

The North Caucasus and far eastern region of Russia are subject to earthquakes. An earthquake occurred in Kamchatka in February 2011, there were no casualties or significant damage. All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis. For information on tsunamis, see the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental, custodial and/or access rights, particularly in the case of dual nationals.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.