The UK government has updated its travel advice to warn British nationals against all travel to Russia, citing a lack of available flight options and increased economic volatility. The Foreign Office urged those whose presence is not essential to consider leaving via remaining commercial routes.
The advice, issued on Saturday, marks an escalation from previous guidance which only advised against non-essential travel. It comes on the tenth day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with over 1.2 million people having fled the country.
The Foreign Office noted that direct flights to the UK or via EU countries may not be possible, but travel via the Middle East and Turkey remains an option. The update follows Aeroflot's announcement that it will suspend all international flights except to Belarus, after a recommendation from Russian aviation authorities.
Separately, the UK government announced plans for new emergency powers to sanction individuals already targeted by the US or EU, following criticism over the pace of action against Russian oligarchs. To date, the UK has sanctioned 15 individuals and 205 companies.
Media outlets including the BBC have suspended reporting in Russia in response to a new law criminalising 'fake news' about the military, which carries jail terms of up to 15 years.
