Government Expands Travel Ban to Entire Kursk Region in Russia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 21st that it will issue a Level 4 travel alert (travel ban) for Kursk Oblast in Russia, where combat between Ukrainian forces and Russian and North Korean troops is intensifying, starting from 0:00 on the 22nd.

Previously, a Level 4 travel alert was issued only for certain sections (within 30 km from the border) of five Russian regions bordering Ukraine (Rostov, Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, and Bryansk Oblasts), but with this adjustment, the entire Kursk Oblast has become a travel ban area. The North Caucasus region (including Chechnya) and some Ukrainian border areas not under Level 4 alert remain under Level 3 (departure recommendation).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged, "Citizens who had planned to travel to Kursk Oblast, now designated as a travel ban area through this adjustment, are requested to cancel their plans." Those who visit or stay in Level 4 alert areas may be subject to penalties under the Passport Act and related regulations.