US urges Americans in Russia to consider leaving 'immediately'

By Rabia Iclal Turan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US urged American citizens on Sunday to consider leaving Russia "immediately" while commercial flights are still available.

The US Embassy in Moscow cited the increasing number of airlines cancelling flights in and out of Russia and numerous countries closing their airspace due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

"US citizens should consider departing Russia immediately via commercial options still available," it said in a statement.

It added that US citizens should "have a contingency plan that does not rely on US government assistance."

Russia’s attack on Ukraine entered its fourth day, with the latest reports indicating that Russian troops were heading toward the capital, Kyiv.

The intervention was met by an outcry from the international community, with the European Union, UK and US implementing a range of economic sanctions against the Kremlin.

Russia has been further isolated as its airlines have been banned from travelling in European airspace and a number of its banks have been kicked out of the SWIFT international banking system.