Russian Federation Is the Largest Country in the World by Geographic Area and a Major World Power
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Intelligence and Analysis Services Country Travel Advice Report Russia Overall Risk Rating: Moderate | 3.00 Drum Cussac Group Limited Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:38 (UTC) Intelligence and Analysis Services Contents Country Risk Rating Breakdown ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Country Overview ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Security Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Political Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Infrastructural Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Environmental Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Medical Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Fact Box ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Travel Risk Advice ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Threat Scale Reference ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Drum Cussac Group Limited 2 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:38 (UTC) Intelligence and Analysis Services Country Risk Rating Breakdown Country Overall Risk Rating Moderate | 3.00 Security Environmental Infrastructural Political Medical Moderate | 3.00 Low - Moderate | 2.75 Moderate | 3.00 Moderate | 3.25 Moderate - High | 3.75 Drum Cussac Group Limited 3 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:38 (UTC) Intelligence and Analysis Services Country Overview Moderate | 3.00 The Russian Federation is the largest country in the world by geographic area and a major world power. Its vast territory spans eleven time zones and both the European and Asian continents. It borders North Korea, China, and the Pacific Ocean in the east, the Caucasus to the south and the European countries of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, and Ukraine to the west. The country's climate varies dramatically depending on geographic location, although most of inner Russia is classified as subarctic tundra. It is an authoritarian democracy, which since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1993, has emerged with a newfound political and economic stability underpinned by considerable increases in global trade and oil revenues since 2000. Although the 2015 economic crisis led to concerns over national stability, structural reforms and heavy state investments have prevented any substantial impact. Nevertheless, Russia continues to face intermittently sluggish growth rates, which have been exacerbated by international sanctions. The country has retained a large sphere of influence in Eastern Europe and the Caucuses where it continues to project military and economic power to further its own interests. Sunni extremist activity in the North Caucasus remains an enduring source of instability. The state has achieved some success in reducing the threat from the separatist insurgency, but insurgent organizations retain the capability and intent to carry out terrorist attacks in the volatile region as well as in major cities such as St Petersburg, Moscow and Volgograd. Rebel activity attacks and skirmishes with the military make travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan particularly hazardous. Islamist militants have, since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, called for attacks on Russia's major cities. Hostility between Russia and other former Soviet republics in eastern Europe have also caused temporary instability, particularly in western Ukraine where Moscow-backed dissidents have fought a separatist insurgency. Conducting business in Russia is complicated by the close nexus between political and business elites which fosters pervasive corruption and can lead to sudden changes in the investment climate. Nonetheless, the country had enjoyed steady growth in foreign investment which has only been partially disrupted by the imposition of western sanctions. The primary threats faced by foreign travelers are state-orchestrated monitoring, petty criminal activity and road traffic accidents. While good infrastructure exists in most cities in western Russia, roads and telecommunication networks are often poorly developed in many rural areas in Siberia and the Caucasus. Russia has been particularly impacted by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The country has experienced some of the highest case numbers in the world and has closed its international borders to most travelers to prevent further spread of the disease. Restrictive measures have been relaxed in some areas as of early July 2020, but regulations vary by region. Travel permits and proper medical documents may be required to enter some regions or cities. Security Moderate | 3.00 Overview Russia faces a low-to-moderate security risk. Both violent and non-violent crime is a problem in many urban areas and westerners may be targeted by criminals in less-affluent locations due to their perceived wealth. The conflict risk generally is low, but separatist insurgencies in the North Caucasus continue to pose a localized threat. Most militant activity has been confined to the North Caucasus regions of Dagestan, Ingushetia, and Kabardino-Balkaria. Radical Islamist militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda also pose a moderate terrorism risk and Sunni extremists have demonstrated their capacity to attack major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Unrest occurs periodically in major urban centers and is often linked to perceived state corruption and unpopular political and economic policies. Political Moderate | 3.25 Overview The Russian political system is relatively stable, however popular opposition to the ruling United Russia Party is widely suppressed through state institutions. Civil unrest occurs infrequently in major cities over various political and economic issues. Unsanctioned protests are generally met with a strong police response. Corruption and poor governance generate a moderate business risk. The country is subject to a range of international sanctions. Infrastructural Moderate | 3.00 Overview Drum Cussac Group Limited 4 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:38 (UTC) Intelligence and Analysis Services No major concerns exist over air travel to and from Russia, however civil aviation agencies have been accused of proving inadequate safety measures and domestic air crashes have occured in recent years. Road conditions are generally adequate in major cities, although driving can be hazardous in rural regions due to poorly-maintained infrastructure, inclement weather and poor local driving standards. Cyber-crime is a significant concern and foreigners may be specifically targeted by hackers and state actors. Environmental Low - Moderate | 2.75 Overview Extremes of cold are found across much of the north and east, which can pose a risk to travelers who are not prepared for the local climate. Inclement weather conditions may lead to travel and service disruptions. Severe rain and wind storms can periodically result in major power outages and localized threats to life. Conversely, extreme heat also periodically leads to wildfires during the summer months. Landmines and unexploded ordnance are widespread in rural areas of the North Caucasus. Medical Moderate - High | 3.75 Overview There are no major health hazards for travelers in central and western Russia, although food and water should be treated with caution and standard vaccinations are recommended for travel. Outside of major cities, medical facilities are considered significantly poorer than in urban centers. Travelers in remote and rural areas should plan for potential medical evacuation. Russia has been particularly impacted by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The country has experienced some of the highest case numbers in the world and has closed its international borders to most travelers to prevent further spread of the disease. Drum Cussac Group Limited 5 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 22:38 (UTC) Intelligence and Analysis Services Fact Box Government Semi-Presidential Federation Type Population 142,355,415 (2016) Currency Russian Ruble Languages Russian (official) 85.7%, Tatar 3.2%, Chechen 1%, other 10.1% Time Zone UTC +3 (Moscow)