The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Berlin has advised Russian travelers to exercise caution when visiting Germany if their vehicles bear Russian registration plates. This warning has circulated through various diplomatic channels. The embassy notes that German customs authorities are continuing to record instances where cars registered in Russia are seized from Russian citizens.
Officials recommend that Russians avoid bringing such vehicles into Germany until the situation becomes clearer. The embassy publication urges victims to notify the Russian consular offices about any cases of vehicle confiscation and to report any subsequent returns of those vehicles, if that occurs.
Earlier, Yevgeny Schmidt, a deputy linked with the Alternative for Germany party, a conservative faction that advocates for Russian nationals and their rights in Germany, commented on cases of cars with Russian numbers being detained in Germany, suggesting a possible higher-order directive at play.
There have been reports that the detention of Russian cars in Germany stemmed from a translation issue involving the terms import and import into German, which may have allowed the imposition of EU sanctions on Russian-made vehicles.
What vehicles were affected prior to the halt on deliveries to Russia after August 1st remains a topic of discussion and clarification among authorities and affected owners, with ongoing questions about enforcement and scope.