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European Russia stretches from the borders of Belarus and Ukraine to the Ural mountains, over 1000km east of Moscow; even without the rest of the vast Russian Federation, it constitutes by far the largest country in Europe. Formerly a powerful tsarist empire and a Communist superpower, Russia continues to be a source of fascination for travellers. While access is still made relatively difficult by lingering Soviet-style bureaucracy – visas are obligatory and accommodation usually has to be booked in advance – independent travel is increasing every year, and visitors are doubly rewarded by the cultural riches of the country and the warmth of the Russian people.

Where to go in Russia

Russian for beginners, russian red tape.

Moscow, Russia’s bustling capital, combines the frenetic energy of an Eastern city with the cosmopolitan feel of a Western one. With its show-stopping architecture – from the tsarist palaces of the Kremlin and the onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral, through the monumental relics of the Communist years, to the massive building projects of today – and the impersonal human tide that packs its streets and subways, the metropolis can feel rather overwhelming. By contrast, St Petersburg, Russia’s second city, is Europe at its most gracious, an attempt by the eighteenth-century tsar Peter the Great to emulate the best of Western European elegance in what was then a far-flung outpost. Its people are more relaxed and friendly, and its position in the delta of the River Neva is unparalleled, giving it endless watery vistas. Visible – often ostentatious – but uneven wealth creation in both cities has made them twin figureheads for Russia’s recent high-speed renaissance.

Top image © Grisha Bruev/Shutterstock

Travel advice for Russia

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Russia

• How to get to Russia
• Culture and Etiquette in Russia
• Eating and drinking in Russia
• Getting around Russia: Transportation Tips
• Sports and Outdoor activities in Russia
• Travel Tips Russia for planning and on the go
• Best time to visit Russia

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.04.2021

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The world's largest country offers it all, from historic cities and idyllic countryside to artistic riches, epic train rides and vodka-fuelled nightlife.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Solovetsky Transfiguration Monastery

Northern European Russia

This imposing, stone-walled monastery is the heart and soul of the Solovetsky Islands. Founded in 1429, it has played various roles throughout its…

The Armoury dates to 1511, when it was founded under Vasily III to manufacture and store weapons, imperial arms and regalia for the royal court. Later it…

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

Arbat & Khamovniki

This is Moscow’s premier foreign-art museum, split over three branches and showing off a broad selection of European works, including masterpieces from…

State Hermitage Museum

St Petersburg

The Hermitage fully lives up to its sterling reputation. You can be absorbed by its treasures for days and still come out wanting more. The enormous…

St Basil's Cathedral

At the southern end of Red Square stands the icon of Russia: St Basil’s Cathedral. This crazy confusion of colours, patterns and shapes is the culmination…

Grand Palace

Around St Petersburg

The Grand Palace is an imposing building, although with just 30-something rooms, it is not nearly as large as your typical tsarist palace. From the start…

Moscow Kremlin

The apex of Russian political power and once the centre of the Orthodox Church, the Kremlin is the kernel of not only Moscow, but of the whole country…

Lenin's Mausoleum

Although Vladimir Ilych requested that he be buried beside his mum in St Petersburg, he still lies in state at the foot of the Kremlin wall, receiving…

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Russia and beyond

Russia Travel Guide

Your ultimate russia travel guide, with tips, and things to see and things to do in russia. great for first-time and returning travelers..

Russia, the world’s largest country. From off-the-beaten-path destinations, like Irkutsk, to the idyllic countryside to glittering palaces and ancient fortresses to vodka induced parties that last until the wee hours of the morning, Russia definitely has it all. 

This Russia travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.

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Table of contents

Table of Contents

Fast Facts about Russia

• Russian power voltage is 220V 50Hz;  Plug C
• The Russian currency is the Russian ruble and is around 69 RUB to 1 USD
• Get your visa well in advance . North Americans and most Europeans will need visas to enter Russia. The official invitation option has been dropped, however people still need to show certain documents, such as hotel confirmation letters, bank/income statements or a travel insurance policy.
• Upon arrival you will be handed a  migration card  that is either filled out or blank (which you will need to fill out yourself!) You will need this card to register at hotels and to leave the country so make sure you don’t lose it!
• Be extremely careful at zebra crossing / crosswalks.  There are times when cars will not slow down and will fail to give way.  Never assume that a driver will stop for you when you cross the street. 
• When buying art you need the piece certified as being  culturally insignificant  to have it pass through customs. It can take time to get the proper documents, so it is advisable to avoid buying art if you are visiting Russia for a short time.
• Women should cover their heads with a scarf in Orthodox churches, if it is an active church.
• Travelers are advised against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan, as well as all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria.
• Avoid drinking water from the faucet, especially in St. Petersburg. The water leaving the purification plant is fine but the water pipe system is woefully outdated and the purified water is often contaminated with city ground water.

Things to See and Do in Russia

• Climbing Mt Elbrus  – You don’t have to pay a fee to conquer the 5640m European peak.
• Hiking in the Altai Region  –The region has incredible spots for hiking and beautiful scenery.
• Moscow Kremlin  – Features cathedrals built in the 15th and 16th centuries.
• Hermitage Museum  – Features over 3 million art and culture exhibitions.
• Attend a concert  – You’ll enjoy a stunning performance at the Moscow International Performing Arts Center.
• The Magnificent Moscow Metro  – the metro system is more of an art deco design project than a transport hub.
• The Astrakhan Kremlin  – Located on the banks of the Volga River ever so close to the Caspian Sea, this pleasant waterfront city boasts a bustling boardwalk complete with jugglers, rollerbladers, performers and vendors.

Russia Travel Guides

17 Exciting Things to do in Moscow

• Mongolia Pictures from the Russian Border to the Gobi Desert
• Motherland Calls – Mother Russia Stands Proud Over Volgograd

Accommodation

Budget  – Some budget hotels can be found in Russia starting at $15 US per night. They may include free Wi-Fi and a private room.

Mid Range  – Mid-range hotels start around $85 per night. They may include a restaurant, family rooms, and a lounge.

High End  – Luxury hotels are priced at $200 – $300 per night. These hotels offer high-end amenities such as indoor pools, fitness centers, and spas.

Check out our favorite booking platforms  Booking.com ,  Tripadvisor  and  Air B&B  for the best deals on accommodation in Russia.

• Pelmeni  – Pastry dumpling filled with meat.
• Borscht  –Soup made with beetroot. 
• Blini  – Thin pancakes that resemble crepes.
• Solyanka  – Stew made with meat, pickles, onions, herbs, and spices. 
• Kvass  –A beverage made from rye bread. 
• Plov  – Seasoned rice with meat.
• Okroshka soup  – Made with yogurt, mayonnaise, or kvass. 

The Best Ways to Get Around Russia

Getting to russia:.

Flights:  The main airports in Russia that have international flights include Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo. These airports receive flights from many countries, including Britain, Turkey, Egypt, Spin, France, and many more.

You can check for the best flights to Russia on  Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Buses : In Russia, you can get around by bus at affordable prices. The general cost of bus fare in Russia is as low as $1.

Taxis / Uber : Taxis are available in almost every part of Russia. Some of the popular taxi services are Yandex Taxi, Taxi Moscow International, and Lingo Taxi. Taxi prices in Russia start from $13 for a distance of 1.5 KM.

Car Rental:  In Russia, there are both local and international car rental services such as Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Prokat Auto, and Arenda Car. On average, a rental car in Russia costs $45 a day. You can also compare  prices here .

When to go To Russia

Russia  has a largely continental  climate  because of its sheer size with warm to hot dry summers and cold winters with temperatures of -30°C and lower and sometimes heavy snowfall. 

In Moscow and St. Petersburg the first snow usually falls in late November and stays till early April. The average winter temperature is about -10°C. Much of the country experiences only two main seasons: summer and winter.

• Russia has four seasons and there is no bad time to visit Russia if you are prepared for the weather.
• It has a very similar climate to Canada.
• Summer (June to August) is a good time for road trips , hiking, and exploring cities.
• Winter (November to February) is great for skiing, ice skating, and winter carnivals.
• Spring (late March to May) can be unpredictable with a mix of snow, rain and warm sunshine and the same can be said for Autumn (September/October) although Autumn is usually dry.

Where to Stay in Russia

• Four Seasons Hotel Moscow  – Located just steps from Red Square, this hotel offers luxury accommodation and many incredible amenities for travelers.
• Kempinski Hotel Moika  – This is a great place to stay in Zenit St Petersburg. The hotel offers warmly decorated rooms, entertainment facilities, among many other amenities.
• Vysotskiy   – This is one of the best hotels for tourists in Yekaterinburg. It offers genteel rooms, suites, city views and spa.

What to Pack for Russia

• Layers –  You could possibly be sweating all afternoon and then be freezing by nightfall! Make sure to stock up on the layers. If you plan on heading to Russia during the winter make sure to pack the  winter essentials:  Warm, waterproof, fleece-lined boots big enough to wear with heavy wool socks, hat, waterproof gloves and thermal long underwear!
• Classic Basic items  – You do not need to be a fashionista to blend in. The key is in embracing neutral toned items that can be mixed and matched easily. Avoid logos, baseball caps, shorts, hoodies, flip-flops and running shoes as these items scream  tourist!
• Rain Essentials –  the weather can be a little unpredictable so make sure to pack a lightweight easily compacted waterproof/windproof jacket and a pair of waterproof boots.
• Personal Safety products  – Certain areas in Moscow and St. Petersburg are known as pickpocket hotspots. Before leaving for your trip, make sure to pack some  personal safety products , like money belts and locks, so that you can keep your valuables safe on your trip.

See our packing tips:  packing tips

Russia Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

• Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
• Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
• VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
• Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
• Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
• Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
• Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
• World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

Russia Travel Guide: Related Articles

To browse all our articles and guides about Russia click here .

16 Interesting and Surprising Facts About Russia

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Russia Travel

“Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”

Winston Churchill’s observation is as pertinent today as it was in the mid-20th-century. Russia is as intriguing as it ever was. Stubbornly standing its ground as a country which will bow down to no conventions-refusing to be classified as either European or Asian-Russia is still Russia.

While the country has modernised in leaps and bounds since the fall of the USSR, the culture remains ever defiant in its distinctness to western norms. Stirring ballets and operas, not soppy musicals, fill the playbills and sincerity, which is often mistaken for seriousness, i s valued over shows of pleasantries.

Apart from the allure of the enigmatic Russian soul, there are countless other reasons to visit the world’s largest country. Its pristine forests are ripe territory for explorers thirsty for adventure and eye-opening vistas. Villages and cities alike are treasure-troves for history-fanatics. And, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, both art and religion have blossomed — reviving the rich legacy left by the Russian Empire.

Should you already have your heart set on Russia and simply need guidance on the practicalities of visiting this magnificent country, please see our Russia travel tips page.

Your Guide to Russia by a Local Travel Expert

• 1. What is Russia Famous for?
• 2. Is Russia Safe to Visit?
• 3. Top Destinations
• 4. Top Experiences
• 5. Visa Matters
• 6. Russia Travel Seasons
• 7. Russia Travel Map
• 8. Holidays and Festivals
• 9. Curious about Russian Cuisine?
• 10. Dos and Don’ts in Russia
• 11. Speak the Language
• 12. Virtual Russia Travel Guide: Further Reading
• 13. At Your Service

What is Russia Famous for?

R oyal residences: The Romanov family possessed one of the greatest fortunes in their times, most of which they used in building the most extraordinary palaces and parks.

O rthodox religion: The golden cupolas of Orthodox Churches have brightened up Russia’s villages and cities for almost half a millennial. Submerge yourself in the history and traditions of this ancient religion.

S oviet history: In all of Russia’s cities, the Red forces left their indelible mark. Though the gargantuan concrete structures may seem oppressing even today, they are a must-see for anyone hoping to understand Russia’s history.

S cenery: Being the largest country on earth, Russia has no shortage of sights to take your breath away. Any enthusiast of the great-outdoors should see Lake Baikal, Mt. Elbrus and the Siberian Taiga.

I zbas: Far away from civilisation, deep in the depths of Russia’s forests, villages made up of traditional izbas (log houses) seem to come out of a distinctly Russified version of Handsel and Gretel.

Y uletide: Russia is special in any season. But for those who brave the cold and come in December, something more than just special awaits.

A rt: Ballet, poetry, architecture, landscape: Russians have mastered the language of the heart better than any other nation. Experience the crème-de-la-crème of Russian art from the glittering balconies of the Mariinsky and Bolshoi and delve into its history down the marble corridors of the Hermitage and the Tretyakov Gallery.

Is Russia Safe to Visit?

Despite the political jostling between the West and Russia, Russia is as safe for tourists as any other European destination. Since the wild '90s, a lot has changed. Russian cities now have lower crime rates than some of their counterparts in America and corruption in the police force is no longer the norm. Though only a third of Russians speak English, foreigners are met with enthusiasm (and rounds of vodka) in almost all regions of Russia. There are less savoury locations in the south of Russia, but these regions are far from the tourist trails. The only danger that could pose an actual threat to visitors is Russians’ infamously reckless driving. Only taking licensed taxis and crossing roads with care easily solves that issue.

Top destinations

Discover the real Russia — feel the force of history on the Red Square and be dazzled by the best of Russian culture at the Bolshoi — while having all the comforts and conveniences of big city life at your fingertips. Centuries-old royal estates like Tsaritsyno, haunts of the soviet-era — such as Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Seven Sisters — along with the high-rises of Moscow City and high-tech of Star City paint a vivid picture of Russia’s history; from its beginnings as a princedom to the capital of a world superpower. There’s no better place to start your journey into Russia than the sprawling, roaring, yet always welcoming capital that is Moscow: Europe’s biggest city.

Saint Petersburg

See Russia from the vantage point of one of the world’s most cultured cities: Saint Petersburg. Far away from the buzz of Moscow, time seems to stand still. Reflections of baroque palaces glitter in canals and the golden domes of neo-classical cathedrals dominate the skyline unblighted by high-rises. The Hermitage, Peterhof and the Mariinsky — bastions of prestige — are complemented by hidden gems such as the Alexander Nevsky Monastery and Pavlovsk Palace. In Russia’s Imperial capital, culture, history and architecture intertwine to form a city so romantic that it would make a poet’s heart sing.

Dive deep into Slavic culture in the land of the taiga, Ural Mountains and Lake Baikal in Russia’s largest region: Siberia. See how generations of Siberians have braved the extreme climate in historic towns like Tobolsk and marvel at the forces of nature in the boundless wilderness of Siberia’s forests.

Off the beaten-track destinations

On the banks of the Volga, east meets west in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan: Kazan. Having been founded more than a millennial ago by the Mongols, the city still retains the pompous aura befitting for a key city of the Golden Horde. Elements of Orthodoxy and Imperialism, however, diluted the Oriental influences during the five hundred year Russian rule. See Russia’s lesser-known side, uncover its ties to both Arabia and Asia and meet Russians of many faiths and faces: like a matryoshka doll, Kazan is full of surprises.

Nizhny Novgorod

As the largest closed city in the Soviet Union, this historic hub of industry still remains unknown to most tourists. Yet, according to UNESCO, its collection of medieval cathedrals merits it a place in the top 100 cities of the world. Sail the 300 mile journey from Moscow up the Volga or catch the overnight train to have ancient Rus’ treasures almost all to yourself.

Veliky Ustyug

In the northerly Vologda region, in forests deep and dark, a land of mythical creatures beckons those who are young at heart. Ded Moroz (Father Frost — the Russian Santa Claus) welcomes thousands of guests to his official residence on the outskirts of this small town. Within his whimsically carved wooden palace, Russia’s oldest fairytales are brought to life with the help of the ghastly Baba Yaga and gorgeous Snegurochka. Veliky Ustyug itself is delightfully quaint — being one of the few towns in Russia with almost all its pre-revolution architecture intact. In tsarist times, it was famed for its craftsmen who produced religious iconography — examples of which can be admired in the town’s Museum of Iconography.

Top Experiences

Visa Matters

Tourist visas for visits of 30 days or less can be obtained through Russian consulates, official visa centres or via tour operators like us. The requirements are literally as easy as 1-2-3 to meet. A visa application form, passport and letter of invitation are all that is needed. But, while in theory it may be smooth sailing, the practicalities of applying for a visa in a Russian consulate can make the process rather daunting. Worldwide, dreadful queues and waiting lists served with the typical lack of courtesy characterise Russian consulates. The fees official visa centres or tour operators charge are almost always more palatable than the ordeal that is an appointment at a Russian consulate. While US citizens must apply for a visa via one of the ways listed above, some nationalities can avoid the queues and fees entirely. Lucky nationals of Israel, South Africa, Qatar and the UAE among a few others can visit Russia for up to 90 days without any visa. While citizens of other countries like the EU, China, Norway, Switzerland, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Turkey can also skip consulate queues by applying for a free, 8-day e-visa when going to designated tourist areas like Saint Petersburg.

For further information or assistance please visit our page dedicated to visa applications .

Best Time to Visit Russia

It is difficult to generalise when speaking about a country as vast as Russia. With regards to weather, this is especially true. While certain parts of Russia are indeed formidably freezing, down south the flocks of Russian holidaymakers on picture-perfect beaches gleefully disprove the stereotype that Russia is miserably cold. That being said, the majority of foreigners only visit north-western cities like Saint Petersburg and Moscow and hence the climate most tourists need to prepare for can be characterised as moderately cold European weather. To read about the climate of other Russian regions click here or take look at our travel map below.

When to visit the North-West of Russia:

Spring: Winds of change, fresh and vibrant, fill the air with excitement as crowds bustle in the streets to celebrate the end of winter with an endless stream of public holidays. Defender of the Fatherland Day, Women’s Day, Maslenitsa (blini week), May Day and Victory Day all make for perfect excuses to visit Russia in spring, as do the bargain prices. But though Russians may mark the beginning of spring with much ado in March, snow, ice and knuckle-freezing temperatures are all possible till mid-May.

Summer: Russia isn’t known for its warm summers but, in fact, the period from mid-May to August is almost always pleasant, if not a little too pleasant (temperatures can shoot to 30c and over in cities like Moscow). Prices rise with the temperature as tourists stream in to marvel at the sprawling royal estates in full bloom and the enchanting White Nights in Saint Petersburg. While the main ballet troupes embark on international tours during the summer down season, outdoor festivals like Scarlet Sails take centre stage and enthral crowds till the wee hours of the morning.

Autumn: Affectionately known as Babye Leto (Indian summer), the first few weeks of Russian autumn are often just as golden as the leaves on the parkland trees. As the 20c temperatures plunge towards the end of September, locals replace their weekend strolls with days in the near-empty museums and warm up during the crisp evenings in cozy jazz bars or lavishly-decorated theatres for the start of the ballet season.

Winter: There is no view more quintessentially Russian than that of a church’s onion domes bulging out under a quilt of snow. Nor is there a season that reflects the character of the Russian people better. For those prepared to wrap up warm, a whole month of merriment and heart-warming sincerity during the New Year celebrations awaits as do a multiplicity of traditional and daredevil winter sports.

Russia Travel Map

Use the Russia Map to locate the country’s main cities and find out what each one has to offer:

Holidays and Festivals

Organise your travels to Russia around one of these celebrations:

New Year Season (December to January 8th) – Undoubtedly the nation’s best-loved holiday, Russia’s legendary New Year’s celebrations officially last a whole week. Unofficially, Russians usually pop open the champagne and start turning the music up by the middle of December when New Year’s bazaars, outdoor ice-rinks and ice festivals are in full swing. Uniquely in Russia, one can see in the New Year twice. The splendour of the fireworks, feasts, family-gatherings and fun in the snow are repeated yet again on January 14th — New Year according to Russia’s pre-revolutionary, Julian calendar. Best place to celebrate: Moscow or Saint Petersburg

International Woman’s Day (8th March) – “International Woman’s Day” is a bit of a misnomer. While the day is most certainly feminine (chocolates and flowers are the symbols of this holiday), only ex-Soviet states and their allies actually celebrate Women’s Day in a meaningful way. Along with appreciating mothers, grandmothers, sisters and aunties, this holiday also doubles as a Russian alternative to Valentines Day. This combination of feminism, family and romance may be unorthodox, but somehow it all merges together to form something really special. Best place to celebrate: Moscow

Maslenitsa (Late February-Early March) – This holiday is the perfect excuse to indulge in all the delights of the Russian cuisine. While often translated as “Shrovetide”, Maslenitsa differs starkly from Pancake Day. For starters, the pancake flipping lasts an entire week and the resulting mountains of buttery golden, paper-thin discs are quite unlike western pancakes. In Russia, pancakes or blinis are a meal in themselves. Caviar, fried mince, potatoes, condensed milk and sour cream are just some of the delights stuffed within blinis. Best place to celebrate: Moscow and the Golden Ring

• Siberian Maslenitsa Tour

Victory Day (9th May) – Russia may well be an enigma, but it can become that bit more comprehensible if one learns some of its history. Each spring, on the anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany, Russia’s sorrowful history is relived with great passion and pride. The grand parades, solemn ceremonies and nation-wide exhibitions provide the perfect opportunity for foreigners to peer into the Russian national psyche. Arrive a few days earlier on May 1st to see the equally grand May Day celebrations which hark back to the communist parades, with their red banners and mega-floats, banging the drum for workers’ rights. Best place to celebrate: Moscow or Saint Petersburg

White Nights Festival (June) – From May 26th to July 16th, Saint Petersburg becomes the only city in the world with a population of over 1 million to be plunged into the endless days of the polar summer. Strolling under a frothy-pink sky at midnight is a mesmerising experience in itself but, in typical Saint Petersburg fashion, even the seemingly perfect is improved upon and taken to new heights. With the bright-sky as a backdrop, Saint Petersburg’s renowned performing arts troupes take to the streets and wow audiences with pirouettes, arias and rock concerts. The festivities peak at the height of June with the other-worldly high-school graduation celebration, Scarlet Sails; a recreation of a romantic Russian fairytale with a nautical twist. Best place to celebrate: This festival is only held in Saint Petersburg

Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival (Late August – Early September) – Fighting for the love and admiration of the audience with the clamouring beat of drums and bellow of trombones, the annual military tattoo in Moscow is a ‘battle of the bands’ in the truest sense of the word. Army bands from the world over come to the Red Square for the chance to march past the monumental walls of the Kremlin in an annual show of musical and military prowess. The harmonious combination of military, classical, folk and pop music, parades and light shows makes this festival one of the brightest and most memorable events of the year. Best place to celebrate: This festival is only held in Moscow

Curious about Russian Cuisine?

The Top Best Dishes to taste while in Russia:

Refined Tastes of Saint Petersburg

Finely sliced beef sautéed in sour cream and forest mushrooms served on a bed of either rice or pasta. This immensely popular dish was dreamed up in the 19th century by French chefs for the ageing Count Stroganov who couldn’t chew tough meat.

As soon as the ice on the Neva melts, quaint fishermen’s boats sail through the centre of Saint Petersburg to catch bucket-loads of silvery smelt. On corner cafes and streets stands, dozens of these finger-sized fish are battered and fried to a crisp. Locals sometimes call these fish “cucumbers” because of their peculiarly fresh, cucumber smell.

Many of Russia’s most elaborate dishes can be traced to the royal scullery of the Hermitage. Comprising of dozens of crisp, caramelised layers of honey biscuit slathered in whipped crème-fraiche, even Empress Elizabeth — who detested honey — was wowed over by the floral notes and luscious creaminess of this cake. Medovik is one of many delectable desserts created by the confectioners of the Romanov court that are still enjoyed by Russians.

Hearty Slavic Foods in Moscow

Piping-hot, puffy and bite-sized, Russian piroshki are worlds-apart from flat american-pies or flaky cornish-pasties. They are an integral part of the Russian diet — the original Slavic fast food — and are especially popular in Moscow. Fillings range from savoury to sweet and change with the seasons: berries or fresh cottage cheese for summer and wild mushrooms, potatoes or baked pumpkin for winter.

The humble blini rules supreme as the ultimate culinary achievement of Russia. The difference between a pancake and a blin may just be a pinch of yeast, a teaspoon of caviar and a dollop of cream, but these small alterations make all the difference. In Moscow’s ritzy restaurants, one can savour the most sumptuous renditions of this classic Slavic dish.

Invented in 1978 by a confectioner in Moscow’s Praga restaurant, the unique combination of the cake’s airy vanilla mousse, entrapped in a thin layer of crisp chocolate and cushioned by a fragrant sponge is simply beyond belief. Hence, the cake’s unusual name. It’s so delicious it seems too good to be true — a little like mythical birds’ milk.

Rib-Sticking, Fiery Siberian Dishes

Stuffed with satiating fillings and served simmering hot with a spoon of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, Siberian pelmeni were made for firing up bellies in the harshest of winters. Throughout the ex-USSR, renditions of these petite dumplings abound. The Ukrainians have varenyiki, the Poles pierogi, but none come close to rivalling the original, meaty, umami-spiced pelmeni of the Siberian hunters.

From the seemingly boundless waters of the Baikal, fishermen haul in copious stocks of fish. The most prodigious species of fish in Baikal, the Omul, is preserved through an age-old curing process. Long lines of these semi-desiccated fish can be seen drying in between windows, trees, market stalls and even bus stops throughout Siberia. These salted fish are then shipped throughout Russia where they are considered a delicacy.

Check out our Russia Travel Guidebook for Food for an in-depth look at:

• Russian National Cuisine

Dos and Don’ts in Russia

• Carry your passport and visa with you at all times. The police sometimes ask foreigners, especially men, to present their IDs.
• Dress modestly, take off your hat and cover your hair with a scarf (if female) when visiting religious sites.
• Be prepared for very cold weather in winter and sweltering days in summer.
• Contact your bank in advance to notify them of your travels to Russia so as to ensure your card payments aren’t subject to undue security restrictions in Russia.
• Carry at least 2000 roubles in cash — card readers aren’t universal. Also, American Express and Discover customers should bear in mind that these sort of cards aren’t usually accepted as a means of payment.
• Use taxi hailing apps or licensed cab companies to get around: it’s easy and avoids the risks that could come with flagging down a ride.
• Look twice when crossing the road, even when crossing on green.
• Drink alcohol outside on the streets or anywhere that isn’t a bar or a restaurant — it could be against the law.
• Buy alcohol or cigarettes from unlicensed buyers.
• Drink unfiltered tap water.
• Purchase antiques of value without procuring an export certificate from the seller.
• Be scared to ask for help. Most Russians understand English, even if they’re too embarrassed to speak it.
• Accept free drinks (foreigners are often targets for drink spiking) or invites to clubs or even museums by strangers on the street.

Speak the Language

Knowing a few basic phrases in the local language will endear you to people and open up doors for friendship and connection during your travels in Russia. Some words and sayings that may come in handy:

Virtual Russia Travel Guide: Further Reading

• Russia Travel Tips
• Russia Tours Page

At Your Service

Whether you’re visiting Russia for the first or hundredth time, a little help and expertise from our passionate team in Moscow will go the way to making sure your trip to Russia is perfect from touch-down to take-off.

Our Russia travel services include:

RUSSIA GUIDE

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Rites and Customs
• Russian Customs
• Russian Cuisine
• Russian Food
• Russian Dishes
• Circum-Baikal Railway
• Exhibitions & Events

RUSSIA TRAVEL

• Travel Restrictions - Covid-19
• Best Time to Visit

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Eco-Tourism in Russia and the Russian Countryside

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Discovering Russia: A Guide to Safety and Respect

I magine walking through the historic streets of Moscow, admiring the grandeur of the Red Square, or traversing the vast Siberian landscapes. Russia, with its rich history and diverse culture, beckons travelers from around the world. But, like any other destination, it comes with its own set of challenges. How do you ensure you're both safe and respectful during your Russian adventure?

TL;DR: Key Takeaways

• Stay informed about the regions you're visiting and their safety levels.
• Respect local customs and traditions to ensure a harmonious trip.
• Be cautious but don't let fear deter you from exploring this magnificent country.
• Always have a backup plan, especially in unfamiliar territories.
• Engage with locals; they're your best guide to authentic experiences.

Navigating Safety Concerns

According to the Global Peace Index 2021 , Russia ranks 154 out of 163 countries, indicating a somewhat higher level of risk for travelers. This might sound alarming, but it's essential to understand the nuances behind these numbers. While certain regions might pose risks, many parts of Russia are as safe as any other popular tourist destination.

The U.S. Department of State's Level 2 Travel Advisory for Russia emphasizes increased caution due to concerns like terrorism and arbitrary law enforcement. It's always a good idea to stay updated with travel advisories and plan your itinerary accordingly.

Respecting Russian Customs

Chris Grayling, a British politician, once said, "Russia is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture, but it is also a place where you need to be aware of your surroundings and always respect local customs and laws." This sentiment is particularly true for first-time visitors. From simple gestures like greeting elders with respect to understanding religious customs, being aware can make your journey smoother.

For instance, when visiting religious sites, dressing modestly is a sign of respect. In Russia, it's customary for women to cover their heads when entering orthodox churches. Similarly, always wait for an invitation before entering someone's home and remember to remove your shoes.

Engaging with Locals: The Key to Authentic Experiences

One of the best ways to truly understand a country is by interacting with its people. Russians are known for their warmth and hospitality. While language might be a barrier in some parts, a smile is universally understood. Don't hesitate to engage in conversations, ask for directions, or simply share a meal. These interactions often lead to the most memorable travel experiences.

Understanding the Russian Soul

When you step into Russia, you're not just entering a country; you're delving into a rich tapestry of history, culture, and emotion. The Russian soul, or "Russkaya Dusha" as locals call it, is a unique blend of deep sentiment, resilience, and a touch of melancholy. It's this soul that has given the world literary giants like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and it's this same spirit that you'll encounter in the streets of Russia, from the bustling avenues of Moscow to the serene landscapes of Siberia.

The Importance of Family and Tradition

Family is paramount in Russian culture. Don't be surprised if a newfound Russian friend invites you over for a family dinner. These gatherings are often filled with laughter, stories, and a lot of food. Traditional dishes like Borscht, Pelmeni, and Blini are not just meals; they're a celebration of Russian heritage. If you're lucky enough to be invited to a Russian home, remember to bring a small gift as a token of appreciation. It's a customary gesture and is sure to earn you extra brownie points!

Language: The Bridge to Hearts

While many Russians, especially the younger generation, speak English, making an effort to learn a few basic Russian phrases can go a long way. Simple words like "Spasibo" (Thank you), "Privet" (Hello), and "Da" (Yes) can make your interactions smoother. Plus, Russians appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to speak their language. It's seen as a sign of respect and can lead to more meaningful connections.

Deborah Green's Insider Tips

Deborah Green shares, "While major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg are quite cosmopolitan, venturing into the countryside offers a glimpse into the real Russia. But remember, always inform someone about your whereabouts, especially if you're exploring offbeat paths."

She adds, "Public transport is efficient, but having a translation app can be a lifesaver. And yes , always carry a copy of your passport and visa. It's common for officials to check them."

Russia, with its vast landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, offers an unparalleled travel experience. While it's essential to be cautious and informed, it's equally important to embrace the journey with an open heart. After all, every trip is about making memories, learning, and growing.

Is it safe to travel alone in Russia?

Yes, many solo travelers explore Russia without any issues. However, always stay informed, avoid risky areas, especially at night, and keep your belongings secure.

Can I use credit cards everywhere in Russia?

While credit cards are widely accepted in cities, it's advisable to carry some cash when traveling to remote areas.

Are there any specific customs I should be aware of when dining in Russia?

Yes, it's polite to finish all the food on your plate as it's a sign of appreciation for the meal. Also, when toasting, it's customary to look into the eyes of the person you're toasting with.

How should I dress in Russia?

While cities are quite liberal, it's always a good idea to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. In winters, ensure you're adequately layered as temperatures can drop significantly.

Is it okay to photograph everything in Russia?

While capturing memories is essential, always ask for permission when photographing people. Avoid taking pictures of military installations or other sensitive areas.

Global Peace Index 2021

U.S. Department of State - Russia Travel Advisory

Russia Beyond - Understanding Russian Customs

Touropia Travel Experts

Discover the World

Russia Travel Guide

Introduction

Spreading 5,000 miles from west to east, Russia is the world’s largest country. It shares it land borders with Norway, Finland , Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine to the west, Georgia and Azerbaijan to the southwest, and Kazakhstan , China , Mongolia , North Korea to the east and much of the south. While geographically mostly in Asia, the bulk of Russia’s population is concentrated in the European part and, culturally, Russia is unmistakably European.

From frozen Siberian lands to volcanic regions and the bustling cities in between, Russia offers more than any tourist can experience in one vacation. For this reason, it is suggested that tourists focus on the country’s two major cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg , which present the highest concentration of popular attractions.

Moscow, Russia’s capital city, is home to prominent landmarks such as Red Square and the iconic St. Basil Cathedral. Also located by Red Square is the Kremlin, a massive walled complex of government buildings and palaces that is home to the Russian president.

St. Petersburg’s main attractions include the Winter Palace, which showcases the wealth and power of Imperial Russia. Housing more than 3 million artifacts and art works from Europe, Asia and Russia, the Heritage Museum is the greatest of its kind in the world.

Outside the cities, the remote and wild Kamchatka Peninsula is popular for its volcanic region, hot springs, geysers and variety of wildlife. Located by Lake Onega, Kizhi Island is a huge open-air museum of historic buildings and artifacts where tourists can learn about traditional Russian peasant life.

Because Russia is a vast country, the rail system is perhaps the best way to get around. Stretching across the entire length of Russia, the Trans-Siberian Railway journey offers a great number of interesting sights and spectacular landscapes.

01net Best VPN 2024: Top 10 Most Reliable VPN Providers How to Watch Russian TV Outside of Russia? Here’s a Simple Fix

How to Watch Russian TV Outside of Russia? Here’s a Simple Fix

Accessing your local TV channels seems impossible if you often travel abroad. Geo-restrictions are very annoying and the worst thing is that they impact TV channels and banking websites the most. If you’re a Russian resident on vacation abroad, unfortunately, you’ll get the same treatment.

Going out of Mother Russia will prevent you from accessing NTV, TVC, Russia 1, and many other channels where you can enjoy movies, series, and entertainment programs. That’s why many people want to know how to watch Russian TV outside of Russia.

The good thing is that you can watch Russian TV abroad, but you need to perform a simple trick I’ll show you. Believe me – watching Russian TV abroad is quite simple and today’s article will be all about that, as I give you my step-by-step guide to unblocking ALL Russian TV channels easily.

How to Watch Russian TV Abroad? A Short Guide

Russian TV channels are inaccessible outside of this giant country. Nevertheless, you can still watch Russian TV live abroad with a VPN. You’ll need a provider with Russian servers to be able to get an IP from this country. Otherwise, the problem is unsolved.

Our team concluded that CyberGhost is the only viable choice with 60 servers in Moscow . Here’s how to unblock Russian TV channels anywhere with it.

• Get CyberGhost. Use the red button to save more than 80% on the 2-year plan and get a 45-day money-back guarantee.
• Install CyberGhost, open the app, and sign in.
• Open the server list, find Russia, and connect to a VPN server in this country.
• Go to any Russian channel and watch it.

Get CyberGhost

Why Can’t I Access Russian TV Outside of Russia?

Geo-restrictions are an integral part of the internet. You can see an example of that when trying to watch Japanese Netflix outside of Japan , for example. Netflix is a geo-restricted platform and so is HBO Max, which you can watch only inside the United States.

Russian TV channels are known for geo-restrictions too as they’re accessible only in Russia. But why does this happen? Well, the simple explanation would be that all channels, platforms, and sites have licensing agreements that allow them to operate in certain conditions.

By conditions, I usually mean countries and regions. Thus, a channel like NTV, for example, is allowed to operate in Russia while Peacock TV can operate only in the United States, and so on. I’m obviously not from Russia so when I try to watch Mood TV, a famous channel from this country, I get an error message.

The error message is in Russian but it clearly states that the channel isn’t available in my country. In other words, I must be located in Russia to watch it. I showed you just one example but keep in mind that the majority of channels from this country will be geo-restricted.

But how do these channels know you’re not in this country? They use a very simple trick. Keeping in mind your IP address is visible all the time, these channels read your IP when you try to visit them and see if that IP address belongs to Russia.

If it’s a foreign IP address, your access is blocked and if it belongs to this country, you can easily access and watch Russian TV online. The solution, therefore, is to somehow alter your IP address to another country i.e. Russia, and bypass this geo-block.

How To Watch Russian TV Abroad: 3 Easy Steps

Something like this can be done by using something called a VPN. A VPN is an abbreviation for Virtual Private Network. This service is known for providing additional online security and privacy by encrypting your connection and making it untraceable by your ISP and the authorities.

The VPN routes your traffic through an encrypted tunnel that goes from your device to the internet. It does so by letting you connect to a remote server in another country which gives you an IP address from the country where the server is located.

If you connect to a VPN server in Russia, logically, you’ll get a Russian IP address which is essential for watching Russian TV live abroad.

Keep in mind that not all VPN providers offer servers in Russia , and those that do are premium providers, so free services simply won’t work for this purpose.

Now, you might be wondering which provider you should use. However, you shouldn’t worry about that because I already found a provider with servers in this country – CyberGhost . I’ll use this provider to show you how to watch Russian TV outside of Russia, so let’s take a look at the steps together.

1. Get CyberGhost VPN

As said, not a single free provider will offer servers in this country, which is why using premium providers is imperative. But then, not all premium providers offer these servers either and ExpressVPN is one of those examples.

CyberGhost, on the other hand, offers 60 servers in Moscow, making it an ideal service for this purpose. If we factor in its unlimited bandwidth, excellent speeds, and top-grade security, it’s easy to see why so many people decide to use this provider in the long run.

Speaking of that, the provider is famous for its extremely affordable prices. Through the button below, you can enjoy a special discount on its longest plan which will lower the price to just above $2 a month and give you a 45-day money-back guarantee, a commodity you’ll get nowhere else.

Visit CyberGhost

Simply click on the red button above, follow the steps, and subscribe to CyberGhost. It’s quite simple. Then, install CyberGhost on your device (Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, macOS), open the application, and sign in.

On Windows, the dashboard will look like this, which indicates that the application is ready to use. Mobile apps are nearly identical, and the same steps will apply to them as well.

2. Connect to a Russian Server

Speaking of the required steps, the second step is to connect to a server in Russia. You can check my article about how to use a VPN if you’re not sure but I’ll give you a step-by-step guide for this provider now.

First, you need to open the server list by clicking on All Servers, after which, you’ll need to scroll down and find Russia. Once you find it, just double-click on it and CyberGhost will establish a connection to a server in this country in less than 5 seconds.

Once the connection is established, the connection button on the right will turn yellow. You’ll then be assigned a new IP, which means you can proceed to Step 3.

3. Watch Russian TV Anywhere

With everything in place, you can finally watch Russian TV live outside of Russia by using CyberGhost. All you have to do is visit the channel you want and watch it with no problems.

When visiting Smotrim (a website that lets you access almost all channels in one place) with my new Russian IP, I could unblock all of the popular channels. By using the same principle, I also watched the channel called Russia 1 – a pretty popular channel in this country.

Needless to say, the same principle applies to all channels in this country but I mentioned to you just two of them for the sake of this article. However, the solution is very simple and it will work in ANY country you find yourself in.

Why Should I Use CyberGhost?

CyberGhost is an excellent choice if you’re looking to watch Russian TV from anywhere in the world. This provider offers streaming servers that are optimized for unblocking a boatload of streaming services.

But keep in mind that streaming isn’t the only benefit you can get from a VPN like this. CyberGhost has 11,500+ servers in 100 countries globally, letting you bypass geo-restrictions efficiently.

On top of that, it comes with special P2P servers for torrenting. They’re great for downloading torrents securely through BitTorrent and making sure you’re not tracked. Another impressive thing is the presence of NoSpy servers. They’re independently operated by CyberGhost and are optimized for online privacy.

This gives you the ability to stay completely anonymous online and enjoy a 100% private browsing experience. CyberGhost offers a no-logging policy as well and its applications work on a plethora of devices and platforms, even including Fire TV Stick, Android TV, and gaming consoles.

This provider comes with great speeds and puts no bandwidth limits. As such, you can use it 24/7 and not worry about breaking through any allowances. With 7 simultaneous connections per account, this provider can also secure multiple devices at the same time with no additional costs.

All of this comes at a silly price of just above $2 a month with a 45-day unconditional money-back guarantee. Thus, I strongly recommend you test it out and see how well it works for you. However, I’m sure it will work because I personally tested it and can confirm everything I said.

Watching Russian TV Abroad: Bottom Line

Today, you’ve learned that you can watch Russian TV live outside of Russia by using a cheap provider like CyberGhost VPN. Bypassing geo-restrictions is simple with a service like this and you can see that you can increase your online freedom by quite a significant margin this way.

Once you obtain a Russian IP , you can go online and watch any channel you want even if you’re located in a completely different part of the planet. With everything said and done, I want you to try out CyberGhost and follow the steps I presented.

You will see that accessing foreign TV channels will be simple, even if we’re not talking about Russian TV channels. With CyberGhost, you can watch channels from any country and stay in touch with happenings all across the globe from the comfort of your home.

Try CyberGhost Risk-Free Now

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Russia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory september 5, 2023, russia - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to remove COVID-specific information and the kidnapping risk indicator as well as updates to security risks.

Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the  unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces , the potential for  harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials , the  arbitrary enforcement of local law ,  limited flights into and out of Russia , the  Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia , and the possibility of  terrorism .  U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately.  Exercise increased caution due to  the risk of wrongful detentions.

The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates.

There have been numerous reports of drone attacks, explosions, and fires in areas in Western and Southern Russia, particularly near the Russian border with Ukraine, as well as in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the event of an emergency, U.S. citizens should follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately.

In September 2022, the Russian government mobilized citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine. Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, and/or conscript them. 

U.S. citizens should note that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and options to electronically transfer funds from the United States are extremely limited due to sanctions imposed on Russian banks. There are reports of cash shortages within Russia.

Commercial flight options are extremely limited and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible. The U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens to depart the country and transportation options may suddenly become even more limited. Click  here  for Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia.

U.S. Embassy personnel are generally not permitted to travel on Russian air carriers due to safety concerns.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the air safety rating for Russia from Category 1 to Category 2 on April 21, 2022, due to Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport noncompliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. aviation operations into, out of, within, or over those areas of the Moscow Flight Information Region (FIR), the Samara FIR (UWWW) and the Rostov-na-Donu (URRV) FIR within 160NM of the boundaries of the Dnipro (UKDV) Flight Information Regions. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices .

The right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not consistently protected in Russia. U.S. citizens should avoid all political or social protests and not photograph security personnel at these events. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations and there are numerous reports Russian nationals have been detained for social media activity. 

Country Summary:

U.S. citizens, including former and current U.S. government and military personnel and private citizens engaged in business who are visiting or residing in Russia, have been interrogated without cause and threatened by Russian officials, and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion. 

Russian security services may fail to notify the U.S. Embassy of the detention of a U.S. citizen and unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services are increasing the arbitrary enforcement of local laws to target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable.”

Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, singled out U.S. citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against U.S. citizen religious workers and have opened questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia to perform work for or volunteer with non-governmental organizations or religious organizations.

There have been multiple security incidents in southwestern Russia related to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government declared martial law in Russia’s regions bordering Ukraine (Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, Krasnodar) on October 20, 2022. The martial law regime allows the rapid introduction of restrictive measures such as curfew, seizure of private property, restriction of entry/exit and freedom of movement, internment of foreigners, forced relocation of local residents, and restrictions on public gatherings. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to these areas.

Recent legislation has expanded the ability of Russian authorities to detain, question, and arrest individuals suspected of acting against Russia’s interests, including posts on personal social media accounts, engaging with foreign and international entities, discrediting the Russian state or military, as well as advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons.

Terrorist groups, both transnational and local terrorist organizations, and individuals inspired by extremist ideology continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs and systems, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Travel to the North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus) is prohibited for U.S. government employees and strongly discouraged for U.S. citizens.

The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya – that Russia has purported to annex more recently. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in these areas. Russia staged its further invasion of Ukraine, in part, from occupied Crimea, and Russia is likely to take further military actions in Crimea, and the four other Ukrainian oblasts are the subject of intensive fighting. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in these regions, particularly against those who are seen as challenging Russia’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continues to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts partially occupied by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya, although the ongoing conflict severely restricts the Embassy’s ability to provide services in these areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Russia.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

• Familiarize yourself with the information on  what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas .
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Monitor local and international media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Russia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Tajikistan issues temporary travel ban to Russia; 'well-provisioned' Ukrainian troops could see off summer offensive

The foreign office in Tajikistan advises all citizens to "temporarily refrain" from travelling to Russia - while a thinktank says Ukrainian forces will likely be able to prevent Russian advances in an expected summer offensive. Listen to our latest Sky News Daily podcast as you scroll.

Sunday 28 April 2024 12:20, UK

• Tajikistan citizens warned not to travel to Russia
• 'Well-provisioned' Ukrainian troops could prevent Russian advances
• Ukrainian hotel housing 'English-speaking mercenaries' targeted
• Russia destroys 17 drones launched by Ukraine
• Explained : Why is Chasiv Yar the next target for Russia?
• Your questions answered: Will Ukraine launch another spring offensive?
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• Live reporting by Lauren Russell

The bodies of two people have been discovered in the Tisa River near Ukraine's border with Romania, Ukraine's state border guard reported. 

"Despite the lowering of the water level in the Tisa, it is extremely dangerous to swim across it, especially at night," a statement by the border guard said.

"Sharp stones, roots, tree debris, and the swift and cold stream can pose danger to life and health."

The identities of the individuals are yet to be released. 

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, a total of 24 people have died trying to cross the river, according to the border guard. 

Law enforcement agencies have uncovered nearly 400 criminal networks that help individuals evade military service by helping them flee abroad, according to Andriy Demchenko, a spokesperson for the state border guard service.

Russian troops have taken over the village of Novobakhmutivka in Ukraine's Donetsk region, according to the Interfax news agency - citing Russia's defence ministry.

The village is close to the town of Ocheretyne which has become a focal point for fighting in recent days. 

Russian forces are also reported to have repelled a series of counterattacks from the Ukrainians near Chasiv Yar, Interfax reported the ministry saying.

This is another key point in the Donetsk region - lying less than 10km from the occupied city of Bakhmut - where the two sides have clashed repeatedly.

Russia's Immortal Regiment March - which takes place on Victory Day to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany during the Second World War - has been cancelled for the second year in a row. 

Due to take place on 9 May, the march usually sees thousands take to the streets with photographs of veterans, the UK's Ministry of Defence said. 

But this year the photographs will be displayed in cars and public locations from 1-11 May.

Victory Day parades in five Russian regions will also not go ahead due to security concerns, according to the MoD.

The regions of Bryansk, Pskov, Ryazan, Kursk and Belgorod are all in western Russia and are deemed vulnerable to Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) strikes.

The parade was cancelled last year due to a  UAV attack on the Kremlin .

On 7 May, a few days before the parade was scheduled to take place, the presidential inauguration of Vladimir Putin will be held in Moscow.

The MoD said the event may prompt protests.

Russian officials have this morning threatened the West with a "severe" response if frozen Russian assets are confiscated.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added Russia would never give up territories seized from Ukraine in exchange for the return of frozen assets.

"Our motherland is not for sale," Ms Zakharova wrote on the Telegram messaging app. 

"All Russian assets must remain untouched because otherwise there will be a severe response to Western thievery. 

"Many in the West have already understood this. Alas, not everyone." 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that there was lots of Western money that could be targeted in countermeasures put in place by Moscow. 

What assets have been frozen, and why sieze them now?

Today's comments from the Kremlin are the latest in a back-and-forth between Russia and the West after the US House of Representatives passed a bill allowing the Biden administration to confiscate Russian assets held in American banks and transfer them to Ukraine.

The assets - worth around $300bn - were frozen at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, as were transactions with Russia's central bank and finance ministry.

So far EU countries and the US have held off confiscating the assets for fears it could escalate tensions - or cause other countries like China and Saudi Arabia to fear for their own European assets.

Ukraine is very likely to stabilise the frontlines in the coming months, with the possibility of starting a counteroffensive later this year.

According to analysts from think tank, Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces are suffering from widespread tactical failures.

As long as the Russian military continues with these struggles, Ukrainian forces will be able to exploit them, especially with the help of military aid from the US.

If so, a counteroffensive later this year or early next could be possible, the ISW says.

A 57-year-old Russian national has been arrested in connection to the murder of two Ukrainians who died after being stabbed at a German shopping centre.

Upper Bavaria South Police said in a statement yesterday that a 36-year-old Ukrainian man died from his injuries near the Tengelmann Centre in the market town of Murnau, Bavaria.

The second Ukrainian man, 23, died in a nearby hospital later the same evening.

The suspect was arrested at his home, which police said was not far from the crime scene.

It is not clear if the suspect has been charged or not.

The foreign office in Tajikistan has advised all citizens to "temporarily refrain" from travelling to Russia.

The advisory was issued after officials expressed concerns about Tajiks being "unjustifiably" denied entry to Russia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

Human rights organisations have also reported rising levels of prejudice against people from Central Asia in Russia after the shooting at a concert hall in Moscow on 22 March.

Islamist terror group Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack in which at least 130 people were killed.

All four of the accused gunmen are from Tajikistan.

Yesterday, a 12th person - also a Tajik citizen - was detained in connection with the attack.

Two Russian journalists who worked for a group founded by the late opposition politician, Alexei Navalny, have been arrested on "extremism" charges.

Konstantin Gabov and Sergey Karelin are accused of preparing material for a YouTube channel run by Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption, which is outlawed by Russian authorities. 

Both denied the charges, for which they will be detained for a minimum of two months, before any trials begin. 

They face a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of six years for alleged "participation in an extremist organisation," according to Russian courts.

On Friday, a journalist working for the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, Sergei Mingazov, was detained on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military.

The arrests are the latest in a crackdown on dissent and independent media by the Russian government. 

Mr Gabov, who was detained in Moscow, is a freelance producer who has worked for the likes of Reuters.

Mr Karelin - who has dual citizenship with Israel - has worked for a number of outlets, including The Associated Press. 

He was a cameraman for German media outlet Deutsche Welle until the Kremlin banned the outlet from operating in Russia in February 2022.

Ukrainian forces that are "well-provisioned" will likely be able to prevent Russian advances in an expected summer offensive. 

In the past, Ukrainian forces have prevented Russian forces from making tactical gains in large-scale offensive efforts, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says.

The ISW predicts that it is unlikely any sort of summer offensive from the Russians will be significantly larger or more intense than their previous efforts.

However, the key factor is Ukraine being "well-provisioned". 

The ISW adds that Russian forces will make tactical gains in the coming weeks as Ukraine waits for military aid from the US to arrive. 

Russian forces have opportunities to make significant tactical gains in the Avdiivka area and pursue an operationally significant objective with the seizure of Chasiv Yar," the ISW says, adding that neither of these efforts is likely to develop in the near future.

Following on from our last post, Ukraine has claimed a Russian drone attack heavily damaged a hotel in the southern city of Mykolaiv.

Mykolaiv's governor Vitaly Kim said Shahed-131/136 type drones were used in the strike which "heavily damaged" the hotel building. 

"A fire broke out, which was quickly extinguished... there are no casualties," Mr Kim said. 

A heat-generating infrastructure was damaged as well as the windows of a separate hotel.

Russia's RIA state news agency, citing Russian underground fighters in the region, confirmed they had hit a shipbuilding plant and a hotel in Mykolaiv where English-speaking mercenaries fighting in Ukraine were housed.

Ukraine's air force said four other drones launched by Russia were destroyed around the capital, Kyiv, the central Vinnytsia and Kirovohrad regions, and over the western Khmelnytskyi region.

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