Vietnam raises safety alert for citizens in Russia amid turmoil

“The security and order situation in the city of Rostov-on-Don and some southern regions of Russia has complicated developments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed the embassy and representative agencies to closely monitor the situation, ready plans to protect and support citizens, especially the Vietnamese community in the regions,” the ministry announced on Saturday.

The ministry recommends that citizens living in cities in the south of Russia and Moscow follow the laws and instructions of the local authorities. Citizens should stay at home, refrain from participating in mass gatherings or going on long trips within Russia, it said.

Russian police cars gather in the center of Rostov-on-Don on June 24, 2023. Photo by AFP

In the event that tensions in Russia increase, the ministry recommends that citizens prepare evacuation plans, keep in regular contact with local Vietnamese associations and Vietnamese representative offices in Russia to receive support quickly.

Citizens planning to visit the cities of Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk and Rostov in the near future need to consider safety factors, do not make the trip unless absolutely necessary and/or the situation has new developments.

Russia’s Security Service (FSB) announced on June 23 that it had opened an investigation into Yevgeny Prigozhin, a mercenary chief and close confidant of Russian president Vladimir Putin, for “inciting sedition” by calling on Wagner forces to oppose Russia’s Ministry of Defense.

Prigozhin accused the military of being behind the rocket attack on the Wagner training camp that caused massive casualties. Wagner claimed to occupy military facilities in Rostov, then control more facilities in Voronezh, 500 km from Moscow.

The Russian government denies Prigozhin’s allegations. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Wagner’s actions as treason and authorized the military to take necessary measures to restore order.

The Russian Defense Ministry issued a message calling on the Wagner gunmen to stop rebelling, saying they were being drawn into criminal activity by tycoon Prigozhin. The Russian government launched an anti-terrorist operation against Wagner, and at the same time tightened security on the outskirts of Moscow.