A solo female traveller from India has shared a harrowing account of being detained for nearly 12 hours without food or water by Russian border officials, despite holding a valid e-visa.
A Nightmare Arrival in Russia
Posting on Reddit under the username 'whaletrader001', the woman detailed her experience in the 'solotravel' forum. She explained that while she accepted the decision to deny her entry, the subsequent treatment was what she found deeply disturbing. She, along with several other foreign nationals, was placed in a deportation holding area for close to 12 hours.
"During this time, no water or food was provided," she wrote. "Requests for basic necessities were ignored. For several hours, we had no idea when or how we would be allowed to leave." The traveller described the denial of drinking water for such an extended period as a potential violation of fundamental human rights standards, including those set by the United Nations.
Fear, Intervention, and a Stark Warning
The situation only improved after the intervention of the Indian Embassy, which she managed to contact. "Because of their efforts, I was eventually provided water and food and allowed to return to India safely," she stated, adding that without this diplomatic help, she was uncertain how long the detention would have lasted.
She confessed to feeling genuine fear for her safety, particularly in the initial hours. As a woman, she found her interaction with Russian border control "particularly uncomfortable", advising other women travellers to exercise extreme caution. "Those 12 hours were enough to leave a lasting impression. I did not feel treated with dignity, and I did not feel safe," she concluded.
Her final recommendation was unequivocal: "Based on my experience, I do not recommend traveling to Russia, especially if you are an Indian citizen, and especially if you are a woman."
Official UK Advice Against Travel
This alarming personal account aligns with the official UK government stance. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Russia, citing risks from the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The GOV.UK website warns of an increased risk of detention for British nationals, noting Russia's track record of using foreign detainees as leverage. It explicitly states: "FCDO’s ability to assist you in these circumstances is extremely limited." The guidance also highlights a high threat of terrorist attacks and the limited in-person support available from UK officials within the vast country.
