September 27 (SeeNews) - The Bulgarian foreign ministry said on Tuesday that travel to the Russian Federation should be avoided and Bulgarian citizens who live there should consider leaving the country as soon as they can using available means of transport.
Bulgarian citizens who remain on the territory of the Russian Federation should be vigilant, avoid places where many people gather and carefully consider the current circumstances and the development of events, the ministry said in a travel warning published on its website.
The announcement comes a week after Russian president Vladimir Putin called up reservists to bolster Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. Since then, tensions in Russia have risen amid protests against the call-up and as voting is wrapping up in controversial referenda on joining Russia, which have been held in Russian-controlled eastern regions of Ukraine.