Canada warns against all travel to Russia: Leave while ‘means are still available’

The advisory notes sanctions and "Russian retaliation" may impact the availability of essential services. "Flight availability is becoming extremely limited," the advisory reads.

Canada is now advising its citizens to avoid all travel to Russia as the country continues its invasion of Ukraine.

The advisory also urges those in Russia to leave while commercial means are still available.

It notes sanctions and “Russian retaliation” may have an impact on the availability of essential services.

“Flight availability is becoming extremely limited,” the advisory reads.

Aeroflot, Russia’s flagship carrier and largest airline, says that starting Tuesday it will halt all international flights except to Belarus. Russia’s aviation agency, Rosaviatsiya, has recommended that all Russian airlines with foreign-leased planes suspend both passenger and cargo flights abroad.

In addition to limited flights, Russia is also cracking down on free speech related to the Ukraine invasion.

On March 4, the country introduced a new law that targets journalists, which the Kremlin claims are publishing “fake news.” Journalists determined to be breaking that law could end up in jail for 15 years.

Canada warns that since the law came into effect, individuals may be detained for sharing or publishing information that local authorities deem false, may be detrimental to Russia’s army or are in support of sanctions against Russia.