As Russian President Vladimir Putin drafts more people to the frontline in the country's war against Ukraine, the US embassy in Moscow has urged all Americans in the country to flee.
Putin announced a partial mobilisation of his troops last week, where up to 300,000 people may be called up to fight.
The US embassy released a statement on Tuesday (27 September) to its citizens who may be in Russia, which read: "Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ US citizenship, deny their access to US consular assistance, prevent their departure from Russia, and conscript dual nationals for military service.
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"Those residing or travelling in Russia should depart Russia immediately while limited commercial travel options remain."
The US embassy cites the ongoing travel disruption taking place in Russia following Putin's announcement.
Flights from major Russian cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg are selling out, and even if you are lucky enough to get on a plane, it will set you back a lot of money.
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For example, a one-way ticket from Moscow to Istanbul would have cost around £300 before the Russian president made his most recent announcement.
Now, that same ticket will set you back over £1,000 for the same four-and-a-half-hour flight.
Mostly fighting age men have decided to flee the country, with most heading to countries such as Turkey, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.
On Tuesday, The White House said it would accept Russian refugees into the US who were attempting to flee the country.
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For Americans in Russia, the embassy has warned that the state department has limited ability to assist in helping people leave as tensions between Moscow and Washington continue to escalate.
They also said: "Conditions, including transportation options, may suddenly become even more limited."
The state department advised Americans planning a trip to Russia to not travel at this time.
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This chaos comes as a result of Putin's latest move in Russia's war against Ukraine.
According to Novaya Gazeta Europe, 261,000 men had already been drafted in to fight in the five days following Putin's announcement of a partial mobilisation.
In that televised address, the Russian president said: "To protect our motherland, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to ensure the safety of our people and people in the liberated territories, I consider it necessary to support the proposal of the defence ministry and the General Staff to conduct a partial mobilisation in the Russian Federation.
"We are talking about partial mobilisation. That is, only citizens who are currently in the reserves and, above all, those who have served in the armed forces have military skills and relevant experience. Only they will be subject to conscription."
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If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
Topics: US News, Russia, World News
Callum Jones