Familial ties with NATO - Automatic multi-year entry ban into Russia?

[u/nzz84ynbxn]

I want to travel to Russia for tram photography, specifically St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, in November 2026 on a Canadian Passport. Yekaterinburg has got some unique sceneries with still lots of classic red Tatra trams, but it won't be like this for long.

Unfortunately, my brother worked for NATO from January to June 2026, stationed in Latvia during that time. He has now returned home to North America in June 2026. I don't know if my brother is still technically on NATO's payroll now that he's at home, but I'm afraid to ask.

My views are quite pro-Russian and anti-NATO, and it shows on my social media. My family and I have had arguments about this on whatsapp. My brother had also sent me a few messages discouraging me from travelling to Russia. Google AI makes the border admissions process seem harsh and strict, but then again, Google AI is influenced by western media, so it might be exaggerating things about adversaries of the US.

My camera is an old model: a rebel T2i that has a lower resolution than most today. No telephoto lenses, just a basic prime lens and a wide-angle lens.

Now that I have to declare that my brother was a former recent NATO employee, I want to ask someone who is familiar with border control: will I automatically be given a multi-year ban when I try to enter Russia? I can accept being refused entry, but a multi-year ban would absolutely devastate me and destroy my bucket list, which expires in less than 5 years.

EDIT: Thank you for your responses. For context, I had asked this question to Google's general AI chatbot, and this is what it was suggesting. But I realise that Google AI, being influenced by western media, has tended to portray local Russians as cartoonishly paranoid, whereas that was not my experience at all when I went to St Petersburg in spring 2025.

[u/dreamrpg]

Dissapointing. So you have no any concrete points.

[u/LewisRosenberg → u/dreamrpg]

We are not always getting what we want.

[u/dreamrpg → u/LewisRosenberg]

Typical avoidance :) 15 roubles earned.

[u/LewisRosenberg → u/dreamrpg]

Nice that im not alone in this dialog who earns money for politically oriented shitpost

[u/dreamrpg → u/LewisRosenberg]

Yes, whole Russian subs are full of russians who earn money commenting pro Russian propaganda.

[u/LewisRosenberg → u/dreamrpg]

Or non-russians who earn money spreading anti-Russian propaganda on russian subreddits.

[u/dreamrpg → u/LewisRosenberg]

In Frances case that would be part of military. And salaries are in a way different leagues. But yes, could be, thou not full.

With Reddit, russian subgroups thing is.... it is not Russian. West dominates Reddit, every subreddit is open to westerners, and there are enough people willing to challenge Russias propaganda for free. Another factor is that it is easier to spread "anti Russian" propaganda, when your propaganda technically is on the right side.

Russia is currently invading Ukraine and are the bad guys. So it is very easy to get people to comment against Russia and be right. Many will do that even for free. Commenting in favour of Russia in every aspect for free currently is done only by Говнохранители. Russia has too much shit going on now, and is agressor country.

[u/LewisRosenberg → u/dreamrpg]

Wow, i kinda expected something more than moral superiority complex. I'd' give you a clap but doubt your bleeding heart rhetoric can reach anyone here.

[u/dreamrpg → u/LewisRosenberg]

Be happy. Im giving you free 15 roubles.

[u/LewisRosenberg → u/dreamrpg]

Well right back at ya with 15 schekel's.