United States tells citizens: Leave Russia immediately

Judo and two total wars with western powers won only after seemingly losing everything -- it's hard not to think that the dictator will eventually inflict far far more pain in the form of martial law on his own people than any of us can imagine in the hopes that that will allow them to find the spark to fall to such a base survival instinct as to bounce back. By no means do I believe that will happen, in fact I believe we must do anything in our power to ensure that does not happen, but I do believe there's been a lack of critical analysis of the way that dictator likely thinks based on a lens of history and his favorite sport. He likely genuinely believes they need to keep losing and losing much more badly than they are today before they can have a shot of turning the tide. It's definitely time to get out of there

Summary: this is due to arbitrary arrests of US citizens, not an escalation of the conflict with Russia.

Is this a big deal because it is the US? FWIW the Australian government has had this sort of warning out for their citizens in Russia for more than a month (at least since 11 January): "If you're in Russia, leave immediately using the limited commercial options available or private means if it's safe to do so. Review your personal security plans and carefully consider the safest means and route to depart.” [1]

[1]: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/russia

Something that's been concerning me about all these UFOs being shot down is that perhaps it could be best explained by the start of something else building up...

Realistically these UFO's aren't alien crafts but hostile spy drones. Perhaps the reason we haven't heard about these drones before could be that the US has never felt the need to act (the spying poses no real imminent threat), or maybe the hostile state sending the drones only now feels the need to spy on US military bases.

But however you look at this either the US is suddenly much more concerned about someone spying on their military bases, or some state suddenly feels the need to spy on US military bases.

We also know that NATO countries now seem to be willing to arm UA with weaponry not just capable of putting up a decent defence against Russian forces, but actually pushing them back into Russian territory. It seems the US and allies no longer just wants UA to hold their own against RU, but actually win the war.

Imo if UA is able to push RU back they're likely to try to reclaim annexed territories back from RU. It seems likely the US and allies would understand this is a probable outcome. After all would NATO countries be sending tanks and such expensive weaponry if they thought UA had no chance? It seems likely they are betting on a UA victory and all that entails.

Most experts agree the conflict in UA will pick up again in the spring. And in the event of a potential UA victory the use of tactical nuclear weapons from RU seem likely.

If the US knows RU is likely a couple of months away from using nukes in UA then perhaps this would explain why they're suddenly so worried about these spy drones, or why there's been a sudden increase in them.

Maybe I'm making too many assumptions here, but it just feels like there's lots of chess pieces moving in worrying ways right now. This request being yet another.

Am I wrong to be concerned?

> And in the event of a potential UA victory the use of tactical nuclear weapons from RU seem likely

The consensus military opinion I've read on this is that tactical nukes aren't very useful militarily; troops in the field are too dispersed. If there's a hardened target, then yes, otherwise not great.

They then have to be weighed against the costs of crossing that Rubicon.

> why they're suddenly so worried about these spy drones

I think this is largely because of opposition screeching.