Is it safe to travel in Russia? - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

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Is it safe to travel in Russia?
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Posted by: Keith

[This thread was split from another thread http://www.russianmeetingplace.com/...hp?threadid=603 that was discussing the murder of 4 Australian men in Russia....]

To those of you that have travelled to Russia, a simple question...have you always felt "safe"?

Keith

Posted by: Jim_FL

simple answer YEP!

Safer than many places I've been in the states. In "common" areas police presence is very big and very visable. They often travel in "packs" of 6 to 10.

Obviously, if you throw common sense out the window, your going to get just as mugged as you would in Spanish Harlem, South Philadelphia, East St. Louis Ill. SouthEast Chicago, or downtown detroit when travelling in the big cities. FSU cities have "bad sections" too - stay out of them. The locals know where these sections are, and will advise you of them, just like here, the bad sections LOOK like bad sections.

Just like here, pay attention to what going on around you where large groups gather, like train/metro stations. When you're lost, don't wander around with that "deer caught in the headlights" look. In short, use the usual precautioons you would anywhere unfamiliar in the States. You are not from there, everyone can see it a mile away, even with clothes that blend (usually your facial expression will give you away if your haircut doesn't. So unless you do some really idiotic things, you'll be safer than at home

Posted by: ConnerVT

Ditto

Posted by: Castlestormer

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith
To those of you that have travelled to Russia, a simple question...have you always felt "safe"?

Keith

I love this quote: "There have been many horrible things in my life, most of which never happened."

I travel by myself a lot to foreign countries because I'm single. Safety is mostly in your mind. Russia is very safe, if one doesn't do anything stupid. It is more interesting though if you don't know Russian. But not more unsafe than any other country in Europe. In fact, even when I do really stupid things for a large, gringo, American...I always seem to come out alright. I was pick-pocketed twice in Paris, almost mugged in Mexico City, and had a serious run in with a Russian mafia goon in Costa Rica. That's about the extend of my perils.

Maybe someone up there just likes me and watches out for me. Who knows?

You will be safer than your bags will be if you travel internationally.

Posted by: Khashyar

Hi guys...

I traveled alone on the Trans-Siberian Railway for several days, walked around and within Russian train stations, as well as traveled to MANY places in Moscow and Belarus and Poland with Lena, and I simply found no place in those countries that felt as unsafe as some parst of L.A. or other U.S. urban areas.

I agree about using common sense as your guide.

I personally would not go alone to a Moscow night club at night adn get drunk, because your judgement is impaired. But, If you are with other Russians (or your Russian fiance/ girlfriend), then no problem.

At least in Belarus, the police are very strict with locals, and I felt COMPLETELY safe in Belarus, as well as in Moscow.

But then again, I did not go partying at night in Moscow night clubs, which I feel is a less safe environment for a foreigner to be alone.

If you use common sense, then you will be safe.

There was only ONE time when I felt a little unsafe or afraid, and that was in the Brest, Belarus train station when Lena had to leave me for 30 to 40 minutes to exchange some money.

I was standing with Lena and my bags, and I put a large bag on one of the train station tables. A short older man came up to me and said something to me in Russian, and after hearing my English response, he told me in broken English to take my bag off of the table. I was wondering "who is this plain-clothed casually dressed guy who is telling me to take my bag off of this strong table?"

When this older short man started talking to some of his other plain-clothed friends who were also walking around in the train station, I could tell that they were the small local mafia, and soon I had one of the men standing about 6 feet away from me (to keep his eye on me). Occasionally, a couple of the Russian plain-clothed men were talking about me among themselves in Russian (I felt like I was a "big fish" for them, because of the attention they were giving me) They posted someone next to me (I was standing with Lena and my bags).

I was feeling nervous at this point.

The mafia man who was "watching" me, told his boss, in Russian, that I had an American passport, and they were saying some other things about me in Russian which I did not understand.

When Lena arrived, I felt very relieved, and told Lena "Let's get out of here"

But, they did not steal anything or threaten me directly in any way, and I took our bags and we went outside to the train playform to wait for our train back to Mogilev...

But, I truly did not feel any other fearful feeling at any other time, and in fact, SEVERAL Russians (and Mongolians, when I was in Mongolia) were extremely helpful to me, and went out of their way to help me).

Khashyar

Posted by: dhutche1

I would have to say that I felt safe the whole time I was in Ukraine with Tetyana. I was very worried before my trip and most of this was caused by one friend of mine from work he is Russian but had not been back to his home country in many years... I think that its changed a lot and he would be very surprised now

... Like everyone has said pay attention to what's going on around you and there will be no problems. I was there for a little over two weeks used the city transit system, trains , taxis etc... never had an issue.

Dave

Posted by: rtking

Probably the only complaint I heard from other American was that you had to ask for "Water without gas" if you wanted plain drinking water. IMHO, I think most Russians prefer "Water with Gas." (Mineral water... which I now prefer.) That's about the extent of "Danger" I encountered.

Bob K.

Posted by: golek

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim_FL
...usually your facial expression will give you away

I found that by walking around with a permanent scowl on my face, I fit in better

Just kidding, although I did try not to smile too much. We in the US are so used to smiling (or at least not frowning) that we really stand out like sore thumbs in a dreary place like Russia.

Posted by: Khashyar

Yes.. it is true that Russian people in public do seem to frown and smile less than Americans do....

(perhaps we should start a new thread about smiling and Russia....)

Posted by: Danika

I think the only thing a tourist really needs to take precautions for is pickpockets.

Especially in crowded places like open air markets, public city transport, especially in rush hours, bus/train stations ... be especially careful when you see a larger group of gypsy women near you, because they often tend to "create a crowd" and meanwhile during this pushing back and forth you may lose a vallet (no racial offence, just statement of things I've seen in action).

But I guess pickpocketing isnt anything unique to post-soviet countries, they announce a warning about it in Paris metro all the time too

Posted by: Kalexandra

For the past two years I've lived in Russia, I can't say that I've always felt safe: I was on Tverskaya when all those soccer fans went crazy, I was at the concert in Tushino that had two suicide bombers (we were on our way there, like 5 minutes from the entrance when we heard the bomb go off, and saw all the people screaming, running, and even one of the suicide bombers laying on the ground..it was really horrible) and just recently I was riding on a commuter train when 6 or 7 skin heads got in our train car and started attacking people (at first they attacked two men with darker skin, but anyone who tried to stop them got attacked too). Usually the militsia are on the train but of course they were nowhere to be found during this incident although people were calling them from those little miltsia intercoms in the traincar. (They showed up 45 minutes later after the boys had already gotten off the train) But, I want to say that I have ridden on trains here ALOT, and this has been the first scary incident. As tourists, my parents and friends have never had any problems here at all when they come to visit-- I think the main thing is to use common sense and don't go to public gatherings if you can avoid it, and of course traveling with a Russian native is always a good idea

. Overall though I do feel safe here, and more so when i am out of Moscow

Posted by: Castlestormer

Quote:

Originally posted by Danika
I think the only thing a tourist really needs to take precautions for is pickpockets.

Especially in crowded places like open air markets, public city transport, especially in rush hours, bus/train stations ... be especially careful when you see a larger group of gypsy women near you, because they often tend to "create a crowd" and meanwhile during this pushing back and forth you may lose a vallet (no racial offence, just statement of things I've seen in action).

But I guess pickpocketing isnt anything unique to post-soviet countries, they announce a warning about it in Paris metro all the time too

Trust me people, this lady knows what she is talking about. I was pick pocketed TWICE in Paris. It isn't always the ladies who are to be watched. My professional perpetrators were not more than eight years old. They're good! And they can spot you a mile away if you look like a "rich American".

Posted by: golek

When I was in Florence, I was waiting in line to get into a museum. Suddenly, a gypsy woman with a crowd of gypsy kids holding out newspapers were crowding into me. I instictively pulled away and looked down and noticed little hands inside my fanny pack. Luckily, I didn't have anything of value in it. Lesson, always be alert when in tourist areas and don't wear fanny packs. Also, if you are looking at a map, stand with your back against a wall and keep an eye out.

In Prague, I've seen gypsy kids on the metro approaching people and playing the most god-awful tune with a violin. When people refused to give them money, the kids would curse and spit at them. They also do pickpocketing in the areas with heavy tourist traffic, like Wenseslas Square. Where are these childrens' parents, one might ask? Either waiting for them on the platform to collect any money they got or in the park near the train station drinking away whatever money their kids were able to beg for or steal. Sometimes, the police will run these people off, especially if there are elections or some big international conference coming up.

I don't understand how these parents can not only teach their children how to be good beggars and thieves, but also to then live off of their own children's begging and thievery. It's really sad. We all want to help people who are in need, but to give these people money is only to perpetuate this sad circumstance.

Posted by: Jutman

Fanny packs. NEVER use them, except for the traveeling itself. When you arrive, look like a local.
In case of money. Get a cheap wallet. In Russia its like 2 dollar. When you walk around, then only take some money with you and let the BIG wallet be home.
If you need the big wallet, have a jacket where you take the wallet inside.
Avoid crowds and in public transportation stay towards the window or sit, so nobody can surprise you from behind. Then its easy to observe the front.
I have travvled 'some' in my life and with never have been pickpocket.

Posted by: Yozhik

Hi everyone,

I second everything Jim has said in this thread. During my two trips to Ukraine, I have never felt out of place, and always felt very safe in the company of my girlfriend, and her friends.

I live in rural England, not far from our second city, Birmingham, and I certainly felt safer in Lugansk than area's of Birmingham I would never travel, i.e. never on foot, locking the doors of my car etc.

I certainly noticed the glum expressions on many Ukrainians, however I think for the duration of my trip, we were smiling and laughing most of the time. I also found it satisfying that I faced no hostility whatsoever being a Westerner

Posted by: Emetsky

Hi Kalexandra! Kak delA? I thought your post was kinda interesting. I remember reading about the soccer fans rioting in Moscow back in 1992. I believe it happened a week after I left Moscow back in June of 1992. From what I heard, most of the rioters were skinheads.

Wow, were you scared for your own safety when those skinheads boarded the train car? I wonder if that was at the Moscow Metro.

That suicide boming happened about 2 weeks before I went to Moscow last August 1993 (2nd trip). To be perfectly honest, it kinda made me think twice about going but I went ahead with my trip anyways.

'hope you make it back to the States soon!

Dosvidanja!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Kalexandra
For the past two years I've lived in Russia, I can't say that I've always felt safe: I was on Tverskaya when all those soccer fans went crazy, I was at the concert in Tushino that had two suicide bombers (we were on our way there, like 5 minutes from the entrance when we heard the bomb go off, and saw all the people screaming, running, and even one of the suicide bombers laying on the ground..it was really horrible) and just recently I was riding on a commuter train when 6 or 7 skin heads got in our train car and started attacking people (at first they attacked two men with darker skin, but anyone who tried to stop them got attacked too). Usually the militsia are on the train but of course they were nowhere to be found during this incident although people were calling them from those little miltsia intercoms in the traincar. (They showed up 45 minutes later after the boys had already gotten off the train) But, I want to say that I have ridden on trains here ALOT, and this has been the first scary incident. As tourists, my parents and friends have never had any problems here at all when they come to visit-- I think the main thing is to use common sense and don't go to public gatherings if you can avoid it, and of course traveling with a Russian native is always a good idea . Overall though I do feel safe here, and more so when i am out of Moscow