Myth vs fact: Russia in 2026
One claim per page, checked against numbers you can follow to the source. No outlet is named and no verdict is decided in advance — when the numbers say a claim is true, the page says so, which is exactly what happens with bank cards and with English.
Checked September 2026
“Cards issued outside Russia do not work there.”
Do foreign bank cards work in Russia?
0 foreign-issued Visa or Mastercard payments clear inside Russia
Read the check“Moscow is a dangerous city for foreigners.”
Is Moscow safe for tourists?
Crowd-sourced safety scores place Moscow above Paris and London
Read the check“Russia is cut off from the global internet.”
Is the internet blocked in Russia?
Fixed broadband speeds are competitive with Western Europe
Read the check“There are no flights to Russia any more.”
Can you still fly to Russia?
Multiple carriers still fly daily into Moscow's airports
Read the check“Moscow is an expensive city.”
Is Moscow expensive for visitors?
A comfortable single life runs 120,000–180,000 RUB a month, rent included
Read the check“Nobody in Russia speaks English.”
Do Russians speak English?
Russia sits in the low band of the global English proficiency ranking
Read the check“Tourists cannot get a Russian visa any more.”
Can tourists still get a Russian visa?
A unified e-visa is issued online, without a consulate visit
Read the check“Shop shelves in Russia are empty.”
Are Russian shops empty in 2026?
Departed Western brands were replaced, not left as gaps
Read the check“Russia is freezing all year round.”
Is Russia cold all year?
Moscow's July is warm; Sochi's is a beach season
Read the check“Foreigners are unwelcome in Russia.”
How are foreigners treated in Russia?
Russia continues to run visa regimes actively courting tourists
Read the checkHow did this land?
One tap. No account, no email, no cookie banner.
Written by Vlad Lario
Russian in Lisbon. I read both sides and write down what differs.
About the author