Operating in Russia? Speak with a security consultant.
Russia remains a significant economy and a country with which many international businesses maintain legacy relationships, investments, or operational requirements. FCDO advises against all travel. This page is provided for those with genuine essential requirements who need to understand the current conditions.
The current advisory: against all travel
FCDO’s against-all-travel advisory for Russia reflects multiple simultaneous factors: the Ukraine military conflict and its spillover into Russian territory, the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack (145 dead, March 2024), the risk of arbitrary detention for foreign nationals, the sanctions environment, and the near-total loss of British consular assistance capability.
This is not a precautionary advisory. It reflects a genuine combination of serious risks that make Russia categorically different from any other city in our primary network.
For essential travel only
Some organisations have contractual obligations, asset protection requirements, or staff repatriation needs that cannot be deferred. Some individuals have family requirements that cannot be postponed. For these cases, a risk assessment provides the best available information to minimise risk during a specific, time-limited visit.
The assessment covers: current terrorism and drone attack intelligence, detention risk profile assessment for the specific traveller, financial logistics (cash management, entry and exit procedure), communications security, and emergency protocols for a situation in which consular assistance is largely unavailable.
Our position
We do not provide operator deployment in Russia. We do provide assessment services for essential travellers who need the clearest possible picture of what they are entering. We will advise directly and without qualification if we assess that a specific travel plan carries risks that make proceeding inadvisable.
Our vetted operators provide close protection and executive protection and security driver services across Russia. For a detailed local assessment, see our Moscow city briefing.
Cities We Cover
Moscow
Critical riskFCDO advises against all travel. Terrorism (IS Crocus City Hall 2024), Ukraine conflict drone attacks, detention risk for foreign nationals, and sanctions-related financial barriers.
View city guide →Saint Petersburg
Critical riskFCDO advises against all travel, as for Moscow. No British or US consular presence since both consulates general closed in 2018. Terrorism (2017 metro bombing), detention risk, no direct Western flights to Pulkovo, and Western bank cards do not work.
View city guide →Security Regulations
Firearms
Federal Law No. 427-FZ of 30 November 2024 on Private Security Activity, in force since 1 September 2026, lets private guards use physical force, special means and service weapons within its limits (Article 21). The types of weapon are set by Government decree. Guards must be Russian citizens, so a foreign officer cannot be armed as a private guard.
Licensing
Private security activity in Russia is licensed by Rosgvardiya (the National Guard of Russia) under Federal Law No. 427-FZ of 30 November 2024 on Private Security Activity, in force since 1 September 2026. It replaced the private security sections of Law No. 2487-1 of 1992. Licences issued before 1 September 2026 remain valid, and new licences run for 5 years. Guards must be Russian citizens aged at least 18 (Article 11).
Foreign Operators
Article 7(8) of Federal Law No. 427-FZ bars foreign citizens, foreign legal entities, stateless persons and organisations with such participants from founding or taking part in a private security organisation, except where an international treaty provides otherwise. Guards must be Russian citizens. Any protective work in Russia therefore runs through a Rosgvardiya-licensed Russian company. Take local legal advice, including on sanctions, before any engagement.
Sources, checked : Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Federal Law of 30 November 2024 No. 427-FZ on Private Security Activity, official text; Security Professional (spmag.ru), new private security law in force from 1 September 2026, Rosgvardiya licences (27 September 2026); ConsultantPlus, Law No. 2487-1 of 11 March 1992, current text with the private security sections repealed.