The Russian Embassy in Kenya has issued an urgent travel advisory for its citizens following escalating military tensions in the Middle East.

In the alert, issued on the evening of Monday, March 2, 2026, the Russian Embassy announced a raft of measures its citizens should take to mitigate the adverse effects of the closure of airspace over several countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. 

“Due to the closure of airspace over Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE and Qatar, as a result of armed aggression by the USA and Israel against Iran, we urge Russian citizens who were unable to depart from Kenya to transit points to take several actions,” the embassy said in a statement. 

Among the measures the embassy has urged its residents to take is to install the Assistant Abroad App, inform the embassy of any difficulties encountered, and register with the consulate in the event of any travel difficulty that may be encountered.

The embassy also instructed travellers to inform their tour operators about disruptions and flight cancellations, so that alternative arrangements or refunds can be arranged.

For those seeking rebooking, refunds or compensation, the embassy encouraged direct contact with airlines or ticket agencies 

The embassy said that if travellers are unable to rebook their flights, those seeking to return to Russia should consider cancelling their original tickets and routing through alternative transit hubs such as Addis Ababa, Egypt, or Istanbul.

It noted that routes via the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have faced significant disruptions, leaving thousands stranded by cancelled connections and limited onward options to Russia and Europe.

Airlines have been reported to have cancelled more than 70 per cent of scheduled services, with some suspensions indefinite due to security concerns and airspace restrictions over the Persian Gulf.

The embassy shared an emergency contact for the Russian Embassy in Kenya, +254 728 606 541, urging nationals to use it strictly in situations posing an immediate threat to life or health.

Meanwhile, operations at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi have been affected, with carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways suspending services, effectively turning Kenya into a temporary holding point for stranded passengers as of March 1, 2026.

The disruption has spread beyond the Gulf region, with airlines including Lufthansa, Air India, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines pausing flights to impacted destinations until early March, further complicating global travel plans.