As a business traveller to Moscow, what are the risks that you might face, and what precautions should be taken?
red24 was asked to provide expert advice to a group of business travellers who were planning to attend a conference in Moscow; although the group were experienced overseas travellers, none of them spoke Russian. After a careful assessment of the situation and research of local and international news sources by our regional analyst and security team, red24 was able to compile a comprehensive risk profile for the city, covering:
- The high threat of terrorism in the city due to Chechen rebel activity, including tactics used by the separatists and possible targets within the city. Safety precautions were also outlined, as well as what actions to take if there was a terrorist attack.
- The level and types of crime in the city, and safety tips to ensure an incident free visit, including how to protect one's laptop from theft. Specific mention was made of the rise in racially motivated attacks by Russian skinhead groups, which has become a growing problem.
- Advice on what to do if encountering police corruption, usually manifested in the form of bribe-taking
- Airport information, including the need for Russian based sponsors for visa purposes, and safe transportation options to the city. Mention was also made of the Russian entry card which is now only in Cyrillic?
- Cultural norms to be aware of when in business circles, including appropriate dress and behaviour as well as general do's and don'ts?
- The group was also alerted to the particularly cold spell in the country, which had claimed a number of lives, and adversely affected heating and transportation services?
All this information was emailed to the enquirer within 24 hours. Shortly after, a representative of the group expressed his appreciation for the report, describing it as having been "very useful".
