Russia

Recommended Vaccinations For Russia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country. Therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country. Therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who will live in Russia for more than 3 months.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

Travellers who plan to visit this country during the summer months and hike or camp in rural or forested areas that provide a habitat for the ticks that carry the virus should consider obtaining this vaccine. This vaccine is only available in Europe.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Japanese encephalitis vaccination is generally recommended only for travellers to Russia who plan on visiting the Far Eastern Maritime areas south of Khabarousk from July to September.

Recommended Medications For Russia

There are no recommendations for Russia at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Russia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Russia.

Hepatitis A

There is a risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Russia through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

Japanese encephalitis

In Russia, outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis occur from July to September in the Far Eastern Maritime area of Khabarovsk. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low, but visiting this area and extensive outdoor activity will increase this risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Russia are at risk for tuberculosis, including multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, if visiting friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

There is a risk of tick-borne encephalitis from Kaliningrad to Wladiwostok below 1,400 meters. The areas mainly affected are the Ural region including the districts of Perm and Sverdlovsk (particularly around the city of Yekaterinburg), the areas of Okhotsk, the Sikhote-Alin mountain range near Vladivostok in the Far Eastern region, the Lake Baikal region and Crimea. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn (March to November).

West Nile Fever

Outbreaks of West Nile virus occur in Russia.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Russia

Personal Safety

Foreign nationals face the risk of arbitrary detention by Russian authorities. Russian law now allows authorities to detain and prosecute individuals for activities deemed against Russian interests, even if those activities took place outside the country. The risk of wrongful detention is particularly pronounced. Surveillance of foreigners is pervasive. Authorities assume monitoring of voice, video, and text communications. Petty crime poses a consistent risk in major cities. Pickpocketing and theft occur frequently in crowded areas including Red Square, metro stations, underpasses, and tourist sites in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Scams target tourists through fake police officers demanding document checks or wallet inspections, unlicensed taxis charging inflated fares, and credit card skimming at standalone ATMs. Some individuals report drink spiking in bars and nightclubs, particularly in Moscow and St. Petersburg, followed by robbery or assault. Racially motivated violence occurs against people of Asian or African descent. These hate crimes have proven fatal in some cases. Street crime including assault intensifies in poorly lit areas at night. Tensions related to the war in Ukraine have heightened anti-Western sentiment, potentially increasing risks for Western nationals.

Extreme Violence

In March 2024, an ISIS-Khorasan attack at Crocus City Hall in Moscow killed 149 people and injured over 600. This marked the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia since the Beslan school siege in 2004. In June 2024, armed attackers killed at least 20 people at synagogues, churches, and police facilities in Dagestan. Terrorists remain active in the North Caucasus region, particularly in Dagestan and Chechnya. Attacks target places of worship, public venues, and security forces. Security operations against terrorist cells occur regularly and often happen with minimal notice, leading to travel restrictions. Bomb threats against public venues are common. Drone attacks and explosions occur near the border with Ukraine and in major cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kazan. These incidents result from the ongoing military conflict with Ukraine, which has destabilized security in southwestern Russia. Russian authorities have declared martial law and emergency operations in border regions including Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod. The North Caucasus experiences recurring incidents of terrorism, kidnappings for ransom, and targeted assassinations. Local criminal gangs in this region have kidnapped foreigners, including those from Western countries.

Political Unrest

Public protest activity has been severely curtailed. Over 20,000 individuals have faced reprisals for anti-war positions since the invasion of Ukraine. Demonstrations recorded in 2022 exceeded 1,300 events, but this dropped to around 400 events in 2023 as authorities intensified their crackdown. Most protests now occur as single-person demonstrations given the severe legal consequences. Authorities use COVID-19 restrictions that remain in force to deny assembly permissions, disperse gatherings, and prosecute participants. Laws prohibit discrediting the armed forces or spreading what authorities deem false information about military operations. Convictions under these laws carry prison sentences up to seven years for discrediting charges and up to 15 years for spreading alleged false information. At least 913 people face criminal prosecution for anti-war statements or actions. Authorities arrested and detained hundreds of people who gathered to mourn opposition leader Alexei Navalny after his death in detention. Security forces maintain heavy surveillance and rapidly detain anyone attempting to organize or participate in unauthorized gatherings. Foreigners posting on social media or supporting groups deemed anti-Russian face questioning, detention, or arrest. The 2024 Bashkortostan protests demonstrated rare public dissent when at least 1,000 protesters assembled following the sentencing of an environmental activist. Authorities deployed riot police, tear gas, and batons against protesters.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid the North Caucasus region entirely, which includes Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Stavropol Krai, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. This region experiences ongoing terrorism, kidnappings, and civil unrest. Local authorities in Chechnya harbor particular hostility toward Western travelers. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to this region. Do not travel to or near the Ukrainian border. The regions of Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, and Krasnodar face military activity, drone strikes, and explosions. Russian authorities have declared martial law and counter-terrorism operations in these areas. Security measures change without notice. Avoid Crimea and the annexed territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya. Heavy military presence and active fighting make these areas extremely dangerous. Russian authorities in these regions have abused foreigners and locals, particularly those perceived as opposing Russian authority. Do not attempt to climb Mount Elbrus. Reaching the mountain requires passing through volatile areas of the North Caucasus. Border areas with Georgia remain tense due to regional conflicts. Travel restrictions and military operations occur without warning. Border crossings with Azerbaijan and Georgia close frequently and sometimes for extended periods.