Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has denied reports that Russia is drafting legislation to introduce exit visas.
“Nonsense. Classic foreign-agent stuff,” she told RBC, arguing that only outlets listed in Russia’s “foreign agents” registry publish such information.
Earlier, the Telegram channel Mozhem Obyasnit (“We Can Explain”) reported that Russia’s Foreign Ministry was developing a package of documents to introduce exit visas, citing a source in Russian diplomatic circles and another close to the presidential administration.
Under the pretext of “the security of Russian citizens,” the channel said, travel to NATO countries would be restricted. Tourists would be permitted to travel only along an approved route, in groups of at least 10 people with an escort. The list of countries where independent travel would be allowed had not yet been approved.
Mozhem Obyasnit also noted that last week, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the “special military operation” (SVO) had turned into a “real war.”
Some outlets interpreted the statement as a test of public reaction to a possible imposition of martial law — across the entire country or in individual regions — which would make it possible to impose a total ban on citizens leaving the country.
In October 2022, Vladimir Putin signed a decree imposing martial law in Ukraine’s occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as in the parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions under Russian control. Several border regions, as well as the annexed territories of Crimea and Sevastopol, are under a “medium-level response” regime.
There are certain exit restrictions for Russians with access to state secrets. As of 2024, they must notify the FSB and the Foreign Intelligence Service at least 30 days in advance of any planned trips abroad.
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