Americans in Russia could be forced to fight in Ukraine war, U.S. warns

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CBS News

BY LI COHEN

FEBRUARY 13, 2023 / 8:45 AM / CBS NEWS

The U.S. Embassy is urging any Americans who are in Russia to "depart immediately" over concerns that they could be harassed and singled out by Vladimir Putin's government. The embassy published a notice on Sunday saying that U.S. citizens in Russia should "exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions."

The updated travel advisory – which has remained at the highest level, "do not travel," since October – came just days after the White House announced that President Biden will travel to nearby Poland on Feb. 20, ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, said the nation is concerned Putin's attacks on Ukraine could "get more vicious" as spring approaches.

In the latest advisory, the U.S. Embassy said that there are "unpredictable consequences" of Russia's assault, including "the potential for harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials." There is also the possibility that U.S. citizens could be forced to fight in the war.

"In September, the Russian government mobilized citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine," the travel advisory says, referencing the partial mobilization that Russia said called up about 300,000 reservists to fight in the country's invasion.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/americans-in-russia-could-be-forced-to-fight-ukraine-war-us-embassy-warning/

[SheltieLover]

1. Who the hell would still be there?

[Cha]

3. Snowden.

[IronLionZion]

5. He's a Russian citizen now

[Cha]

7. Oh that's right.. All the More Better

for him to get his Ass out there on the field.. Fight for the Motherland.

[Renew Deal]

11. Put him on the frontlines

[Cha]

14. Yeah, catapult his ass to the Front.

Fight for Russia, Snowden. put your body where your mouth is.

[IronLionZion]

2. I encourage Republicans to travel to Russia immediately

[Cha]

4. Yeah, the ones who are Hell Bent

On Supporting Putin's War on Ukraine..

Go put your bodies where your mouth is, Magats.

[ffr]

13. Bwah! ABSOLUTELY!

[Wicked Blue]

6. They're obviously desperate for cannon fodder

[Warpy]

8. They're already drafting permanent residents from the 'stans

but I can't imagine them drafting anyone from NATO countries or even from China, or from any country that wasn't once part pf tje USSR or some ancient Russian empire.

I suppose it's remotely possible, it's just not plausible. It would be good for them to leave, though. Unfortunately,most of them are there because they have Russian spouses, so it's not going to be easy to leave.

[RussBLib]

10. Prison most likely

Forcing them to fight? How does that work? Most likely Russia would just lock them up and use them as bargaining chips.

[Warpy]

17. I think you're right about that

I can well imagine them offering Snowden in exchange for no F-16s to Ukraine.

They might try with Steven Segal, also, but I don't think anybody wants him.

[paleotn]

20. Here's an assault rile...

Now join the human wave attacking Ukrainian trenches around Bakhmut or be shot. One's choices would be limited to whatever the Russian authorities say they are. So far, most of the waves of former prisoners and assorted what not are used for identifying Ukrainian strong points for artillery, air strikes and more coordinated assaults by regular Wagner operators. Their inevitable deaths still serve the "motherland."

If one doesn't have the name recognition, thus value, of a Brittany Griner, such an outcome is in the realm of possibilities. That's how the Russians have made war since the Czars. American backlash? Who? They probably just disappeared. People disappear in the Russian Federation all the time. What are we going to do about it? Invade? Sanctions?

[paleotn]

19. Russia has a long history of conscripting whoever they please, whenever they please...

Goes back to the Czars.

[Evolve Dammit]

9. Putin is throwing everything at this newly unleashed spring offensive. May they fail

miserably and may the Russians who are losing all their loved ones rise up and Mussolini him. Slava Ukraine!

[ffr]

12. Is Fox News re-broadcasting this call to arms?

Because this is Putin's call out to all tRumpsters. Here's your opportunity to fight for Russia and tRump.

Stand back and stand by!!! Get your plane tickets now!

[Turbineguy]

15. Why go to jail for trump

when you can die for trump?

[Richard D]

16. GoFundMe campaign . . .

. . . to pay for tickets? Just saying.

[ffr]

23. +1

That's a great idea for the dumpsters who'd want to go fight against the Ukrainians.

[republianmushroom]

18. well steven you may get to be a real Russians solider.

Stay there.

[GB_RN]

21. We Fought One War Over This Kind Of Thing...

The War of 1812 was due in part to the British dragooning American sailors and pressing them into service in the British Royal Navy.

[banlesh]

22. Except for Edward Snowden

I guess.