Europe
Is Russia safe?
L4Do not travel
Is Russia safe?
Big-city street crime is moderate, but foreigners face arbitrary detention, drone attacks, terrorism risk and harsh speech laws, with very limited consular help.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 4: Do not travel, updated 2025-12-28.
- Homicide rate: 6.8 per 100,000 people (2021, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 12.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112.
- Solo women: Street harassment is moderate and drink spiking is reported. Bigger risks, like detention and drone strikes, apply to everyone.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Detention of foreigners as political leverage; dual nationals can be conscripted
- Ukrainian drone attacks; airports close at short notice
- Belgorod, Kursk, Bryansk border regions and occupied Ukraine: avoid
- Terrorism in big crowds and the North Caucasus
Common scams
- Fake police checks to rob tourists; insist on ID
- Unlicensed taxis; order through Yandex Go instead
- Dating-app dates leading to bars with huge bills
Laws visitors break by accident
- Criticising the army or sharing 'fake' war news, including social posts, can mean up to 15 years.
- Rainbow flags and LGBT symbols are treated as 'extremist' symbols.
- Carry your original passport, migration card and registration; copies aren't accepted.
Safety by place in Russia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Moscow | 2/5 · High risk |
| Saint Petersburg | 2/5 · High risk |
| Kazan | 2/5 · High risk |
| Sochi | 2/5 · High risk |
| Kaliningrad | 2/5 · High risk |
| Irkutsk | 2/5 · High risk |
| Yekaterinburg | 2/5 · High risk |
| Vladivostok | 2/5 · High risk |
| Murmansk | 2/5 · High risk |
| Novosibirsk | 2/5 · High risk |
| Nizhny Novgorod | 2/5 · High risk |
| Olkhon Island | 2/5 · High risk |
| Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky | 2/5 · High risk |
Quick answers
Is Russia safe for tourists?
Big-city street crime is moderate, but foreigners face arbitrary detention, drone attacks, terrorism risk and harsh speech laws, with very limited consular help.
Is Russia safe for solo female travelers?
Street harassment is moderate and drink spiking is reported. Bigger risks, like detention and drone strikes, apply to everyone.
What is the emergency number in Russia?
Police 102 · Ambulance 103 · Fire 101 · All emergencies 112.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Russia
- Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-Visa portal
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.