Will Russia-Ukraine conflict affect Visas for Russians?

[Simplytex 387]

2 hours ago, slavaskii said:

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but in countries like Belarus, having Western family members or even desiring to visit the West already 'flags' you for special attention. 😕 

I definitely understand. I suppose, the biggest question mark is just "Where does the current situation lead?" Because even two weeks ago, some of these things (such as, the extent of the sanctions) were unthinkable, and therefore, its so difficult to know what the living situation will be in Russia in the next 2, 4, or 6 months from now. Most think that the ruble will default, but I've not really heard what that is supposed to mean for Russians. A lot are saying a return to the 90's level of difficulties, and I just get flashes of "teachers being paid with bottles of vodka" level of subsistence/barter economy. 

 

From USCIS, "In the context of an expedite request, humanitarian reasons are those related to human welfare. Examples may include, but are not limited to, illness, disability, extreme living conditions, death in the family, or a critical need to travel to obtain medical treatment in a limited amount of time." (Emphasis mine...) Of course, from a comfortable western set of standards, we would consider how Russia was during the 1998 currency crisis "extreme living conditions", and made worse by the possibility of internet/communication shut down.

 

I guess, I wonder if there have been any examples in the last 10 years, of any similar situations - maybe Venezuela? But in many ways this is unprecedented, at least from my understanding.