Russian scientists urged to clear trips to ‘unfriendly’ countries after archaeologist’s arrest in Poland

The Russian Science and Higher Education Ministry has recommended that universities and research institutes planning trips to so-called “unfriendly” countries consult with it before agreeing to attend events abroad, Russian business daily Vedomosti reported on Monday.

According to the outlet, the ministry will now “assess the advisability of scientists’ participation” in foreign events. The trigger for these measures was the arrest of Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin in Warsaw in December 2025 at Ukraine’s request.

Several researchers at one federal university had spring 2026 trip plans frozen before the ministry’s guidance was circulated, and others fear possible detentions abroad for political reasons, according to Vedomosti.

Between 2024 and 2025, Moscow State University and the Higher School of Economics reportedly redirected trips to Turkey and Saudi Arabia, while visits to Iran have sharply increased — even for researchers with work in unrelated fields.

Universities note that reductions in international collaboration and trips began earlier due to sanctions and Russia’s exclusion from some scientific projects. Bauman Moscow State Technical University confirmed it now only cooperates with “friendly countries.”

Deputy Science and Higher Education Minister Konstantin Mogilevsky’s letter to educational and research institutions urged careful assessment of events for potential political agendas and consultation with the ministry's Department of International Cooperation before attending.