OREANDA-NEWS  The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recommended fellow citizens to leave the territory of Russia, a statement published on the agency's website.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends to refrain from any trips to Russia... We recommend that Polish citizens residing in Russia leave its territory by available commercial and private means, except in cases where their personal, family or professional circumstances require them to remain in the country," the statement said.

"In the event of a sharp deterioration in the security situation, border closures or other unforeseen circumstances, evacuation may be much more difficult or even impossible," the Foreign Ministry warned.

The ministry attributed this "to the ongoing reduction in the number of Polish diplomatic and consular staff in Russia in connection with the decision of the local authorities to revoke the work permits of the consulates general in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of St. Petersburg Poland