The federal government is warning Canadians not to travel to Russia, and to leave if they are already there.

The updated travel advisory, posted on the 

, is prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Avoid all travel to Russia due to the impacts of the armed conflict with Ukraine, including limited flight options and restrictions on financial transactions. If you are in Russia, you should leave while commercial means are still available," the advisory reads.

Global Affairs Canada said in a statement Sunday that&nbsp;around&nbsp;1,197 Canadians had used a service registering them with the government as travelling to or present in Russia — but GAC cautioned that registration is voluntary and that number did not present a full picture of the number of citizens in the country.

The advisory posted Saturday notes that, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February, Canada and other countries in North America and Europe have placed sanctions on Russian entities, including restrictions on airspace.

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What looked like a breakthrough ceasefire to evacuate residents from two cities in Ukraine quickly fell apart on Saturday as Ukrainian officials said continued shelling had halted the work to remove civilians hours after Russia announced the deal.

People cross on an improvised path under a bridge that was destroyed by a Russian airstrike, while fleeing the town of Irpin, Ukraine, Saturday, March 5, 2022. What looked like a breakthrough cease-fire to evacuate residents from two cities in Ukraine quickly fell apart Saturday as Ukrainian officials said shelling had halted the work to remove civilians hours after Russia announced the deal.

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What looked like a breakthrough ceasefire to evacuate residents from two cities in Ukraine quickly fell apart as Ukrainian officials said continued shelling had halted the work to remove civilians hours after Russia announced the deal. 'We can't really take the Russians for their word, based on our experience,' says Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae.

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Canada will hit Russia with more sanctions and economic policies designed to undermine Russian President Vladimir Putin's ability to wage war — and some of those moves might end up hurting Canada's economy, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland participates in a media availability to discuss Canadian sanctions on Russia, as Russia continues to invade Ukraine, in Ottawa, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. 

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland told reporters in Ottawa Tuesday that more sanctions and economic measures aimed at the Russian Federation and President Vladimir Putin would be rolled out in the coming days.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin is the latest target of sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, with the United States, Canada and European allies announcing they are adding direct measures against him and his foreign minister.

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Canada is one of the countries imposing personal sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle, but there are questions about the effectiveness of these sanctions, given that many of these assets are held in the names of others.

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"These sanctions and the Russian retaliation, may have an important impact on the availability and the provision of essential service. Flight availability is becoming extremely limited," the advisory reads.

The notice also describes the possibility of limited consular resources and the passage Friday of a 

 which could result in detention or other penalties for sharing information deemed to be false.

The advisory warns against "discussing the Russian invasion of Ukraine .. sharing or publishing information related to the current events in Ukraine and Russia ... [and] participating in demonstrations and large gatherings." Several major news networks, including CBC, BBC and CNN have temporarily suspended reporting from Russia.

The United States also advised its citizens Saturday not to travel to Russia.

The update Saturday is an escalation from a warning issued Monday, in which the government urged Canadians to avoid non-essential travel.

Canadians have similarly been advised by the government to avoid all travel to Ukraine.

Soldiers with Russia's national guard patrol Moscow's Red Square in November. Canada on Saturday warned its citizens not to travel to Russia for any reason, and to leave the country if they are able.

Federal government urges Canadians not to travel to Russia — and to leave if possible

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