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Close Protection in Russia: Current Assessment

Security Intelligence

Close Protection in Russia: Current Assessment

An assessment of close protection and executive security in Russia in the current environment. Covers the FCDO advisory, sanctions implications, the operational environment.

Marcus Webb, Security Operations Adviser 2 March 2026 2 min read

Russia’s security environment for foreign nationals has changed fundamentally since February 2022. What was a manageable corporate travel environment, challenging but navigable, has become a high-risk jurisdiction for most Western nationals with an advisory against all travel from most Western governments.

The Current Environment

FCDO Advisory. The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to Russia. Similar advisories exist from US, EU, and most Western government travel advice systems. This reflects:

  • Active conflict with Ukraine and its domestic security consequences
  • Arbitrary detention risk for Western nationals
  • Limited commercial flight options creating reduced exit routes
  • Sanctions environment creating legal risk for business activity

Conflict consequences. While Moscow and most Russian cities are not in active conflict zones, the conflict has created domestic security consequences: periodic drone attacks on Moscow Oblast, military mobilisation affecting the population, and a security environment in which the Russian state has significantly expanded surveillance and control powers.

Arbitrary detention. Western nationals, including journalists, business people, and dual nationals, have been detained in Russia since 2022. Detention has been used as a bargaining chip in diplomatic disputes. This risk is not addressed by conventional close protection.

For Organisations with Residual Russia Exposure

For the limited number of organisations that maintain any Russia presence:

Legal and sanctions compliance. Russia operations must be reviewed against current sanctions regimes in all relevant jurisdictions. Non-compliance creates criminal liability for individuals as well as organisations.

Emergency planning. Personnel remaining in Russia should have tested emergency exit plans, including overland routes to neighbouring countries if air options are closed.

Security support. Operators who can provide security support in Russia are limited given the departure of most Western security companies. Planning for in-country security must be based on current capability assessment.

For high-risk security consultancy services, contact us through our quote form.

For tailored support on the issues covered here, see our Moscow city briefing and executive protection service.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The FCDO advises against all travel to Russia. This reflects the current risk environment including: the conflict with Ukraine and its consequences for civilian safety; the risk of arbitrary detention; the suspension of many commercial flights creating limited exit options; and the general unpredictability of the security environment for foreign nationals. Most Western companies have significantly reduced or eliminated Russia exposure since February 2022.

A small number of organisations still have Russian operations: some energy companies completing long-term contracts, legal firms handling complex litigation, journalists, and NGOs. For the very limited number of individuals who must travel to Russia for compelling reasons, security planning is essential. This includes: legal risk assessment (sanctions compliance, arbitrary detention risk), travel planning that accounts for limited flight options, and in-country security support from operators who understand the current environment.

Since 2022, foreign nationals in Russia face elevated risk of detention on various grounds including ‘discrediting the armed forces,’ espionage allegations, or as a bargaining chip in bilateral disputes. US, UK, and other Western nationals have been detained. This is not a conventional security risk addressed by close protection: it requires legal preparedness, embassy registration, and in some cases, limiting travel to Russia entirely.

Western consular support is severely reduced, sanctions complicate payments and logistics, and the legal environment for foreign nationals has hardened. Any essential visit requires arrangements that do not depend on normal banking or consular channels, and a clear contingency and exit plan agreed before travel.

Russia is a high-surveillance environment, and executives should assume that communications and devices may be monitored or inspected. Clean travel devices, disciplined communications, and careful handling of sensitive material at the border are appropriate measures. See our guidance on executive digital security for international travel.
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