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State Department issues new advisory telling Americans to leave Ukraine

By Paulina Smolinski

Updated on: February 11, 2022 / 8:05 AM EST / CBS News

The State Department is asking Americans in Ukraine to leave the country immediately, issuing a Level 4 travel advisory on Thursday. The advisory warned Americans not to travel to Ukraine and for those in Ukraine to leave "due to the increased threats of Russian military action." 

"There are continued reports of a Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine, indicating potential for significant military action against Ukraine," said the advisory. "The security conditions, particularly along Ukraine's borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea, and in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine, are unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice." 

The State Department warned that the government would not be able to evacuate Americans if Russia invades and urged for Americans in the country to come up with contingency plans that do not rely on assistance from the U.S. government. 

"American citizens should leave now," President Biden told NBC News on Thursday. "It's not like we're dealing with a terrorist organization. We're dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It's a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly."

In January, the State Department authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees  and ordered the departure of eligible family members from the embassy in Kyiv. 

The warning cited Crimea and areas of Donetsk and Luhansk as areas of increased risk .U.S. government officials are prohibited from traveling in Russia-occupied Crimea, citing that "authorities continue to abuse and arbitrarily imprison foreigners and the local population."

Tensions are high in the region with Russia amassing more than 100,00 troops surrounding the border of Ukraine. The Pentagon believes Russia now has 70% of the forces in place to mount a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. If Russia invades, it would be the largest conflict in Europe since World War II. 

Russia on Thursday kicked off military exercises with Belarus along the Ukrainian border, leading to NATO increasing its own forces in the region. 

CBS News has confirmed that the U.S. government has plans in place to evacuate the thousands of Americans living in Ukraine — if it needs to do so — to neighboring Poland, a NATO ally to which the U.S. has recently deployed additional troops.

David Martin and Christina Ruffini contributed to this report. 

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U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Ukraine – Level 4: Do Not Travel

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State Department Travel Advisory Warns Those in Ukraine to 'Depart Now'

The State Department released an updated travel advisory on Thursday warning that U.S. citizens in Ukraine should "depart now" amid rising tensions between the country and Russia.

The travel advisory also says not to travel to Ukraine, either, because of the "increased threats of Russia military action and COVID-19." Those already there should leave through commercial or private means, according to the State Department. Should they stay, the department says people should exercise "increased caution due to crime, evil unrest, and potential combat operations should Russia take military action."

Russia has repeatedly denied that it is planning a military attack on Ukraine. However, there are as many as 130,000 Russian troops deployed near the Ukrainian border at this time. The Kremlin is also sending more military equipment, medical units, and blood to its troops. Russia also began training exercises with Belarus spanning over 10 days, reportedly aimed at "repelling external aggression," the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement Thursday . The ministry said the drills will end on February 20.

Two U.S. officials familiar with the latest intelligence estimates told CNNthat the Kremlin is believed to have amassed 70 percent of the military personnel and weapons at Ukraine's border necessary for Russia to conduct a full-scale invasion.

The State Department also advised against travel to the Crimea peninsula, Donetsk, and Luhansk, saying there is "extensive Russian Federation military presence in Crimea" and that U.S. citizens have been threatened, detained, or kidnapped by Russia-led forces in Donetsk and Luhansk.

The travel advisory notes that should Russian military action occur in Ukraine, the U.S. government is unable to evacuate U.S. citizens: "Military action may commence at any time and without warning and would also severely impact the U.S. Embassy's ability to provide consular services, including assistance to U.S. citizens in departing Ukraine."

The State Department first announced the voluntary departure of U.S. direct-hire employees (USDH) on January 23. The department had also ordered the departure of eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine because of the threats of potential Russian military action.

• Russia Says 'Repelling External Aggression' Purpose of Belarus War Games
• As Putin Talks Compromise in Moscow, Russia Plots Tank Drills Near Ukraine
• Could US Intel of Russia's 'False Flag' in Ukraine Be Part of Putin's Plan?
• Why Putin Is Fixated on Ukraine

Newsweek previously reported that the U.S. has started deploying troops close to Ukraine and sending 1,700 additional troops to be stationed along the Polish border.It is unclear if they will conduct drills and training exercises.

"Our national contribution here in Poland shows our solidarity with all of our allies here in Europe, and, obviously, during this period of uncertainty we know that we are stronger together," U.S. Major General Christopher Donahue said upon his arrival in Poland Sunday.

U.S. troops are also being deployed to reinforce NATO allies on the eastern flank, with the first troops arriving in Romana on Tuesday, according to Romanian Defence Minister Vasile Dincu.

Update 02/10/22, 6:30 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with more details from the State Department's travel advisory and background information.

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The State Department tells Americans to leave Russia immediately

Emma Bowman

Aeroflot's passenger planes are parked at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday. Aeroflot said Monday that it suspended flights to New York, Washington, Miami and Los Angeles through Wednesday because Canada has closed its airspace to Russian planes. Pavel Golovkin/AP hide caption

Aeroflot's passenger planes are parked at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday. Aeroflot said Monday that it suspended flights to New York, Washington, Miami and Los Angeles through Wednesday because Canada has closed its airspace to Russian planes.

The U.S. State Department is telling U.S. citizens in Russia to leave the country "immediately."

The new travel advisory was issued Saturday over heightened security concerns in the country as Russian military forces carry out an "unprovoked and unjustified attack" in Ukraine, the State Department said.

The alert warned of "the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the Embassy's limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law. U.S. citizens should depart Russia immediately.

"As foreigners make plans to exit the country, the State Department noted a growing number of flight cancellations into and out of Russia, reports of cash shortages, and that "some credit and debit cards may be declined as a result of sanctions imposed on Russian banks."

The State Department's prior travel advisory, issued on Friday, said American citizens should "consider" departing Russia immediately through the available commercial options. On Feb. 28, U.S. officials allowed the voluntary departure of non-emergency staff at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and their family members.

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Biden Administration Announces Significant New Security Assistance for Ukraine

Today, following the passage of the national security supplemental which the President just signed into law, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a significant new security assistance to urgently meet Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This announcement is the Biden Administration's fifty-sixth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories to Ukraine since August 2021. This Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package has an estimated value of $1 billion and includes capabilities to support Ukraine's most urgent requirements, including air defense interceptors, artillery rounds, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons. 

The capabilities in this announcement include:

• RIM-7 and AIM-9M missiles for air defense;
• Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;
• Small arms and additional rounds of small arms ammunition, including .50 caliber rounds to counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS);
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm artillery rounds, including High Explosive and Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions rounds;
• 105mm artillery rounds;  
• 60mm mortar rounds;
• Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles;
• Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAPs);
• High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs);
• Logistics support vehicles;
• Tactical vehicles to tow and haul equipment;
• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
• Precision aerial munitions; 
• Airfield support equipment;
• Anti-armor mines;
• Claymore anti-personnel munitions;
• Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing; and
• Night vision devices; and
• Spare parts, field equipment, training munitions, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment.

This package will surge munitions, weapons, and equipment forward to support Ukraine's ability to defend its frontlines, protect its cities, and counter Russia's continued attacks. With the bipartisan support of Congress, Ukraine can count on strong and resolute U.S. leadership to provide consistent security assistance support – together with some 50 Allies and partners – to ensure its brave defenders receive the critical capabilities needed to fight Russian aggression. 

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US issues level 3 travel advisory to China amid safety concerns. Here's what to know

Are you thinking about traveling to China to visit or study abroad? The U.S. government suggests reconsidering your trip for now. 

According to the U.S. Department of State , traveling to China is under a level 3 travel advisory , warning Americans to reconsider. The State Department has four warning levels. The fourth is “Do not travel.”

Is it safe to travel to China right now?

The U.S. is asking Americans to reconsider traveling to China due to various reasons, including concerns about health and safety, such as the prevalence of contagious diseases like COVID-19, as well as political tensions or security risks in certain regions.

As of April 12, there are some specific areas that the U.S. is asking people to reconsider travel to. Those areas include:

• Mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions.
• Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
• Reconsider travel to the Macau SAR due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services. 

Additionally, the U.S. government may issue travel advisories based on factors like civil unrest, natural disasters, or other hazards that could affect travelers' well-being.

Americans detained in China

Mark Swidan — a man from Houston, Texas — has been detained in China for over 10 years on drug charges. According to The Texas Tribune , Swidan was detained in China in 2012 while on a trip looking for materials for his home and business in Houston. Chinese authorities arrested him after his driver and translator were found in possession of drugs. The driver blamed Swidan, who is accused of trafficking and manufacturing methamphetamine.

A review of Swidan’s case said there were no drugs on him or in his hotel. Last year, the Republic of China’s Jiangmen Intermediate Court denied Swidan’s appeal and upheld his death penalty with a two-year suspended death sentence.

Other Americans considered wrongfully detained include Chinese American businessman Kai Li from Long Island, N.Y., and California pastor David Lin.

What countries have a Level 3 travel warning?

• Trinidad & Tobago
• El Salvador
• South Sudan
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Papua New Guinea
• Saudi Arabia

What countries have a Level 4 travel warning?

• Afghanistan
• Central African Republic
• North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
• Burkina Faso

Traveling abroad? Here are some safety tips

U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s free  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  and to prepare contingency plans for emergencies. 

Safety tips if you're traveling outside the U.S.:

• Don't travel alone.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep a low profile.
• Try not to be flashy.
• Avoid going to places at night, especially by yourself.

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Russia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory september 5, 2023, russia - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to remove COVID-specific information and the kidnapping risk indicator as well as updates to security risks.

Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the  unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces , the potential for  harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials , the  arbitrary enforcement of local law ,  limited flights into and out of Russia , the  Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia , and the possibility of  terrorism .  U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately.  Exercise increased caution due to  the risk of wrongful detentions.

The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates.

There have been numerous reports of drone attacks, explosions, and fires in areas in Western and Southern Russia, particularly near the Russian border with Ukraine, as well as in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the event of an emergency, U.S. citizens should follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately.

In September 2022, the Russian government mobilized citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine. Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, and/or conscript them. 

U.S. citizens should note that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and options to electronically transfer funds from the United States are extremely limited due to sanctions imposed on Russian banks. There are reports of cash shortages within Russia.

Commercial flight options are extremely limited and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible. The U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens to depart the country and transportation options may suddenly become even more limited. Click  here  for Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia.

U.S. Embassy personnel are generally not permitted to travel on Russian air carriers due to safety concerns.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the air safety rating for Russia from Category 1 to Category 2 on April 21, 2022, due to Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport noncompliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. aviation operations into, out of, within, or over those areas of the Moscow Flight Information Region (FIR), the Samara FIR (UWWW) and the Rostov-na-Donu (URRV) FIR within 160NM of the boundaries of the Dnipro (UKDV) Flight Information Regions. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices .

The right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not consistently protected in Russia. U.S. citizens should avoid all political or social protests and not photograph security personnel at these events. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations and there are numerous reports Russian nationals have been detained for social media activity. 

Country Summary:

U.S. citizens, including former and current U.S. government and military personnel and private citizens engaged in business who are visiting or residing in Russia, have been interrogated without cause and threatened by Russian officials, and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion. 

Russian security services may fail to notify the U.S. Embassy of the detention of a U.S. citizen and unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services are increasing the arbitrary enforcement of local laws to target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable.”

Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, singled out U.S. citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against U.S. citizen religious workers and have opened questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia to perform work for or volunteer with non-governmental organizations or religious organizations.

There have been multiple security incidents in southwestern Russia related to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government declared martial law in Russia’s regions bordering Ukraine (Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, Krasnodar) on October 20, 2022. The martial law regime allows the rapid introduction of restrictive measures such as curfew, seizure of private property, restriction of entry/exit and freedom of movement, internment of foreigners, forced relocation of local residents, and restrictions on public gatherings. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to these areas.

Recent legislation has expanded the ability of Russian authorities to detain, question, and arrest individuals suspected of acting against Russia’s interests, including posts on personal social media accounts, engaging with foreign and international entities, discrediting the Russian state or military, as well as advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons.

Terrorist groups, both transnational and local terrorist organizations, and individuals inspired by extremist ideology continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs and systems, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Travel to the North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus) is prohibited for U.S. government employees and strongly discouraged for U.S. citizens.

The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya – that Russia has purported to annex more recently. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in these areas. Russia staged its further invasion of Ukraine, in part, from occupied Crimea, and Russia is likely to take further military actions in Crimea, and the four other Ukrainian oblasts are the subject of intensive fighting. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in these regions, particularly against those who are seen as challenging Russia’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continues to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts partially occupied by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya, although the ongoing conflict severely restricts the Embassy’s ability to provide services in these areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Russia.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

• Familiarize yourself with the information on  what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas .
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Monitor local and international media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Russia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

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• Fact Sheets

FACT SHEET: DHS Facilitates the Safe and Responsible Deployment and Use of Artificial Intelligence in Federal Government, Critical Infrastructure, and U.S. Economy

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays a leading role in developing policies and introducing initiatives to help ensure the safe and secure use of AI in support of President Biden’s landmark Executive Order (EO). DHS is responsibly leveraging AI to advance homeland security mission, while protecting individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. DHS is helping to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure from AI-enabled threats, issuing safety and security guidelines for AI used in critical systems, and recruiting the talent needed to shape the future of AI and tech innovation.

To learn more about DHS’s work in AI, visit the Artificial Intelligence at DHS webpage.

Protecting water supplies, power grids, telecommunications and other critical infrastructure from AI-enabled threats

• Established the AI Safety and Security Board (AISSB) – Over 20 technology and critical infrastructure executives, civil rights leaders, academics, and policymakers are advising the Secretary, the critical infrastructure community, private sector stakeholders, and the broader public on the safe and secure development and deployment of AI in our nation’s critical infrastructure, as well as the mitigation of threats and risks that AI could pose. This includes recommendations to prevent and prepare for AI-related disruptions to critical services that impact national or economic security, public health, or safety.  
• Developed the First AI Guidelines for Critical Infrastructure Owners and Operators – DHS, in partnership with CISA, developed new safety and security guidelines for use by critical infrastructure owners and operators. These guidelines are informed by the whole-of-government effort to assess AI risks across all sixteen critical infrastructure sectors, and address threats both to and from, and involving AI systems.  
• Shared New Resources to Reduce Risks at the Intersection of AI and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Threats –The AI Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) Report [submitted to the President] was developed through strong collaboration across government, academia, and industry. The report examines risks at the intersection of AI and CBRN threats.  It also identifies trends in AI and types of AI models that might present or intensify biological and chemical threats to the U.S. Finally, the report offers recommendations to mitigate potential threats to national security by overseeing the training, deployment, publication, and use of AI models and underlying data, including the role of safety evaluations and guardrails.

Incorporating AI into Carrying Out the Homeland Security mission through safe, responsible and trustworthy use

• Responsibly leverage AI to advance Homeland Security missions while protecting individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties;
• Promote Nationwide AI Safety and Security; and
• Continue to lead in AI through strong cohesive partnerships  
• Per the EO, CISA completed an operational pilot using AI cybersecurity systems to aid in the detection and remediation of vulnerabilities in critical United States Government software, systems, and networks.
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) will use AI to enhance investigative processes focused on detecting fentanyl and increasing efficiency of investigations related to combatting child sexual exploitation.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will deploy AI to help communities plan for and develop hazard mitigation plans to build resilience and minimize risks.
• United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use AI to improve immigration officer training.  
• Launched the AI Corps Recruitment Sprint to Hire 50 Experienced/Expert Technologists – The Department announced its first-ever hiring sprint to recruit 50 AI technology experts in 2024. The new DHS “AI Corps” is modeled after the U.S. Digital Service, building teams that will help better leverage this new technology responsibly across strategic areas of the homeland security enterprise including efforts to counter fentanyl, combat child sexual exploitation and abuse, deliver immigration services, secure travel, fortify our critical infrastructure, and enhance our cybersecurity. The Department most recently hired a highly qualified executive director to ensure that the Corps' success and is continuing to pursue top AI talent to build out the AI Corps.

Ensuring the economic security, and competitiveness of American AI innovation

• HSI has partnered with Michigan State University’s Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (A-CAPP) to create a training program to help industry and domestic law enforcement better understand and respond to AI-related IP theft.
• The Intellectual Property Rights Center (IPR Center) , led by HSI, encourages members of the public, industry, trade associations, law enforcement, and government agencies to report potential violations of intellectual property rights involving AI through their website. The information provided is then reviewed promptly by IPR Center staff and disseminated for appropriate investigative response and tactical use to IPR Center partners. The IPR center serves as whole of government center for the criminal enforcement of IP theft, to include AI-enabled digital piracy, product counterfeiting, trade fraud, and the theft of trade secrets.  
• Streamlined processing times of petitions and applications for those seeking to work, study, or conduct research in the United States;
• O-1A noncitizens of extraordinary ability,
• EB-1 noncitizens of extraordinary ability and outstanding professors and researchers,
• EB-2 advanced-degree holders and noncitizens of exceptional ability,
• Startup founders using the International Entrepreneur Rule, and
• International students.  
• Implemented a final rule to strengthen the integrity of the H-1B registration process and published a comprehensive proposed rule to modernize the H-1B specialty occupation worker program and enhance its integrity and usage.

As DHS deploys AI responsibly, it will work under the President’s direction to harness the opportunities and reduce the potential harms of this revolutionary technology.

• Cybersecurity
• Transportation Security
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

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Ukraine Is Denying Consular Services to Men Outside the Country

New guidance carries a clear message to men abroad who may be avoiding the draft: You don’t get the benefit of state services if you don’t join the fight.

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By Maria Varenikova

Reported from Kyiv

Ukrainian officials have taken several steps in recent weeks to swell the ranks of an army depleted by more than two years of grueling combat. The government passed a new mobilization bill aimed at increasing troop numbers and has stepped up border patrols to catch draft dodgers.

Now, officials are targeting men who have already left the country. This week the government announced that Ukrainian embassies had suspended issuing new passports and providing other consular services for military-age men living abroad.

Men between the ages of 18 and 60 were prohibited from leaving the country after the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, but some were abroad before the rule took effect and others have left illegally since then.

By suspending consular services, the government said, it was responding to demands for fairness in society.

The new rules will remain in place until a new mobilization law takes effect on May 18. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that it was still working out the details about what services would be provided after the broader mobilization law went into effect, but its message was clear: If you are healthy and can fight, come home and join the military.

“How it looks like now: A man of conscription age went abroad, showing his state that he does not care about its survival, and then comes and wants to receive services from this state,” Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said in a statement. “It does not work this way. Our country is at war.”

Critics have said the move could end up sowing divisions between Ukrainians at home and those abroad while not having a real impact on the drive for more soldiers. There are about 860,000 Ukrainian men now living outside the country, in the European Union.

The drive to bring men back to Ukraine is part of a broader effort to enlist new soldiers urgently as Russia seeks to exploit its advantage in arms and numbers across the eastern front. In certain areas, Russians outnumber Ukrainians by more than seven to one, Gen. Yurii Sodol, the commander of forces in the east, told the Ukrainian news media last month.

As American officials pressed lawmakers in Washington to deliver more military aid for Ukraine, they also pressed the government in Kyiv to address problems with its draft.

James O’Brien, the assistant U.S. secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, noted on a visit to Kyiv this week that the country’s mobilization efforts were every bit as critical to stabilizing the front and turning the tide of war as artillery.

“Ukraine needs to make sure it has the people necessary to fight,” he said at a news conference.

The lack of clarity about how the policy would be carried out added to the heated debate inside Ukraine about the measure.

Many soldiers on the front, including tens of thousands who have been fighting with little rest for more than two years, see the rule as a just and fair move.

“This decision is long overdue,” Alina Mykhailova, a military medic and widow of a commander killed in combat, wrote on Facebook, describing it as the restoration of some “small percentage” of justice for Ukrainian servicemen.

“You don’t like it? Give up your citizenship and go to hell,” she wrote, in comments that reflect growing anger among Ukrainian soldiers and military families at men who have avoided fighting.

However, Volodymyr Viatrovych, former head of Ukraine’s National Memory Institute, warned that the move could create resentment from Ukrainians living abroad.

“This decision will bring nothing but damage,” he wrote on Facebook, arguing that it would not force more people to join the army but only “weaken national unity.”

A majority of Ukrainians living abroad, he wrote, will not abandon their jobs, studies, wives and children “to take a one-way trip right now.”

There is particular concern about teenage boys whose parents took them abroad for their safety when the war broke out and who have since turned 18. Under the new law, they may have to return to Ukraine to get their passports, and then they may not be able to leave.

“There has to be some improvement, the creation of some possibility to get registered with the army at the consulate,” Tetyana Senenko, a Ukrainian living in Georgia, said on social media.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would provide further clarification on the procedure for obtaining consular services, to avoid leaving hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian men abroad in a state of limbo.

Serhiy Fursa, deputy director of the investment company Dragon Capital in Kyiv, said on Facebook that Ukraine should be more wary of alienating men who could be useful to the economy if not to the military: “Yes, these men are needed in Ukraine. And yes, they chose not to be in Ukraine during the war. Ukraine needs all its citizens. And not all citizens of Ukraine are heroes.”

Maria Varenikova covers Ukraine and its war with Russia. More about Maria Varenikova

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Slope repair set to begin along US 84 on May 6

Travel advisory.

Archuleta County -  The Colorado Department of Transportation and Drill Tech Drilling & Shoring, Inc. will begin slope repair work on May 6. Work will occur on US Highway 84, 21 miles south of Pagosa Springs and 7.7 miles north of the New Mexico state line. The project is expected to last until the end of December.

The project will help mitigate a slope adjacent to the roadway that is prone to landslides and will stabilize the roadway infrastructure. Work will consist of the installation of a concrete wall barrier with a reinforced subsurface pile system drilled into the ground. Crews will replace an existing drainage culvert with a new concrete and corrugated metal pipe under the roadway. Slope repairs will help stabilize the roadway including widening the roadway to include a 13’ shoulder. Finally, work will include asphalt repaving and the installation of a new guardrail. 

Traffic Impacts

Beginning May 6, motorists should plan for road work on US 84 between Pagosa Springs and Chromo. Traffic impacts will include:

• Daytime work hours range from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, with potential for weekend work
• Vehicles will be reduced to a single-lane, alternating traffic intermittently in either direction, throughout the duration of the project
• Lane closures, guided by a temporary light signal or flaggers, will have up to 15-minute delays
• The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph through the work zone

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

• Call the project information line at 970-398-2714
• Email the project team at: [email protected]
• Visit the project website at: www.codot.gov/projects/us84sloperepair

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!

Tourists' Caribbean arrests highlight value of US travel warnings, expert says

If you’re planning a trip abroad, your first stop should be the u.s. state department website, where you can get important safety and security information about your destination, by leslie gaydos and ale zimmermann • published april 29, 2024 • updated on april 29, 2024 at 5:41 pm.

Three Americans detained in Turks and Caicos Islands for possession of ammunition are facing a possible 12-year prison sentence after they were arrested for what they say were innocent mistakes.

The situation is a good reminder to be aware of local laws anytime you’re leaving the United States.

If you’re planning a trip abroad, your first stop should be the U.S. State Department website , where you can get important safety and security information about your destination.

“Oftentimes people do a bit more digging to unknown destinations that they've never been to or destinations that might have an increased caution warning on the State Department website,” says Katy Nastro, a travel expert at flight-finding site Going. “We tend to not think about doing those same sort of steps before we travel to leisure destinations like a Caribbean island, or anywhere that we might have been to before.”

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But it’s a good idea to check the State Department website before each trip so you can make informed decisions.  The State Department issues travel advisory levels for each country of the world based on conditions, from the minimum Level 1 to a Level 4, which is a do not travel advisory.

“It also advises against different regulations or things that have popped up recently,” says Nastro. “If you go on the State Department website right now and look under Turks and Caicos, there is an advisory to check your bags for things like ammunition that you cannot travel to and have on you when you're traveling to Turks and Caicos.”

Nastro says it’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with local laws to avoid any run-ins with local authorities.

“One perfect example of sort of being aware of local laws and regulations is chewing gum in Singapore. This is something that has been talked about in the past, because a lot of times tourists would come to the country and not be aware that, you know, spitting chewing gum and chewing gum in and of itself is banned,” she says. “Also being aware of what you're saying. In some countries, you're not allowed to speak ill of the government or, you know, have slanderous language specific type of words. Again, being aware, top line, of some of the differences in local laws and regulations before you travel to a country can really equip yourself to be a better and smarter traveler.”

The State Department website also provides information on local customs and norms. In some countries, tight-fitting clothing and sleeveless shirts and shorts are not acceptable.

“A lot of information can be found through various Facebook groups,” says Nastro. “Going has an incredible travel community that you can join where people actually swap tips and insights into what a specific destination is like after just having traveled there… as well as following local news outlets to get a better sense of what's happening on the ground.”

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You may also want to consider signing up for the state department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. It’s a free service that sends you emails with updates on weather, safety and security from the local U.S. embassy or consulate.  

If there’s an emergency, it also helps them contact you with instructions on what to do. You can sign up here:  step.state.gov .

More on the Turks and Caicos Islands ammunition arrests

US tourists face 12 years in prison for accidentally bringing ammo to Caribbean island

TSA reviews airport security after Turks and Caicos ammo arrests

Mother's warning after son's 8-month Turks and Caicos prison sentence: ‘It's not behind us'

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