Pentagon Warns Personnel Against Unofficial Visits to Russia

A US Army security office has warned military personnel of heightened scrutiny and harassment that are possible during their unofficial visits to Russia, US media reported on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The US Army’s security office in Kaisersalutern, Germany, said in a message to staff that the community’s personnel have experienced increased "scrutiny and harassment" by Russian immigration and customs services, Stars and Stripes reported.

The office advised servicemen and their family members who have experienced instances of harassment in Russia to report incidents to the local security office and the Kaiserslautern Military Intelligence Detachment, according to the media report.

Relations between Russia and the United States deteriorated after residents of Crimea opted via a popular referendum to rejoin Russia. The United States and its allies do not recognize the results of the referendum and have accused Russia of meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs.

Russia has repeatedly stated that it is not interfering in Ukraine’s affairs and that NATO’s amassing of weapons and troops on Russia’s borders is contrary to previous agreements and can destabilize the region and the world.