How to visit Russia after sanctions in 2022?

As Indian skydivers, we know that Russia is heaven. And since last year, I have been planning for my Russia trip.

I was so excited and then, BOOM!! Ukraine Invasion happened.

All those sanctions banning Russian flights, banks, and whatnot. But I knew that to improve as a skydiver, I have to travel this year.

My friends and family considered it a crazy plan. But then, I got somewhat positive feedback from people living in Russia and those who traveled to the country during sanctions. And ultimately, I felt that my plan is feasible.

Finally, when Aeroflot started flights from Moscow to Delhi, I planned my trip along with two CARZY-LIKE-ME skydivers.

Note: Don’t forget to read survival tips in Russia at the end of this article. It will save you a lot of money.

How to visit Russia after sanctions as an Indian?

Let me run you through the entire process I followed to visit Russia after sanctions. You’ll find it quite useful.

Russian Visa

It was easy for me to get a visa. I got in contact with this reliable travel agency from my skydiver friend Rahul. I sent my passport to Mumbai and he took care of everything.

He charges Rs.13510 for a normal visa and it takes 10 working days to get it. You might find it expensive but it was a good deal.

None of my contacts were ready to apply for a Russian visa. Yes, I got my visa before I booked my tickets. Travel agency took care of everything. If you want to apply on your own, you can Google the visa guide and go ahead with that. But If you are planning to travel within 20 days of applying for a visa, I would suggest going with a travel agency.

Note: If you are planning to get Visa on your own, you can get “Visa Invitation” from here

Tickets

I was planning to travel via Dubai. But someone in my contact said that they are stopping people at immigration if you are traveling from Dubai.

Delhi to Moscow Direct Flight Route

So when Aeroflot started their flights to Delhi, I opted for it.

The next hurdle was the payment system. We can’t book an Aeroflot flight with Visa or MasterCards because of Russian sanctions. It is also not available to book on travel websites like Goibibo and Booking.com

That’s when I got to know about Vamsi. He was in Russia for more than two months and he got a MIR (Russian payment system) Card.

He helped me book tickets on Aeroflot.

Delhi to Moscow via Dubai Flight Route

I met one of the Indian students in Russia who came to the country via Dubai. These tickets are easy to book as you can use your own debit/credit cards.

However, It is a little expensive and takes a long stop over in Dubai.

Note: I would recommend traveling with a return ticket to avoid any issues at Russian Immigration.

Payments for Foreigners after Russian sanctions

The most important thing. Our Debit/Credit/FOREX cards won’t work.

No, RuPay cards won’t work either.

As I was in contact with Vamsi, He ensured that he would help me get Rubles in exchange for Indian Rupees. So, I transferred some INR to his Indian account and he got me Rubles. (P.S. I did pay some commission to him)

He also let me borrow one of his MIR debit cards.

My advice: Get some rubles from India so that you can buy your food at the Russian airport or book a taxi. If you don’t find rubles, convert some USD at the airport and keep some Ruble in cash with you.

But, Is your Russian Friend the only option?

Hell No.

I decided to write this guide after I found these two amazing ways.

Bring USD in Cash and Open Bank account in Russia

No, I have not gone crazy. This is the best way.

Sberbank

It takes an hour to open your bank account with an Indian passport in Sberbank.

P.S. Sberbank don’t have their android application on PlayStore. Don’t download it from playstore. Get it from their website.

Also, They charge for insurance. It is ₽3300 for 5 years or ₽3000 for 1 year. It is not compulsory to buy. But they will force you to buy insurance. I took it as I know that I will be using it for a lot of online transactions and that will expose me to scammers.

The Sberbank app is not available in english. So, you have to translate everything after taking screenshots and using Google Translate.

P.S.: Beware of scammers. Same rules that we get in India. Don’t share OTP without translating the text. Never Ever!!!!

Once I got my bank account, I exchanged my USD and loaded Rubles in my card. You can do all of this at Sberbank. Bank executives can help you with the process.

Tinkoff Bank

You can also open an account in Russia from India. Tinkoff bank allows that. However, you have a limit of 15000 rubles.

When you are in Russia, a Tinkoff bank executive will meet you at your own place and verify your details. You can schedule your appointment.

After he verifies your details and gives you the card, your limit of ₽15000 is withdrawn. You have a fully working debit card backed by the MIR payment system. That’s all you need in Russia.

Note: Tinkoff bank is the only Russian bank not affected by sanction.

P.S. Thank you Jayant for sharing this information. It helped a lot.

How about Crypto transfer for Rubles amongst sanction? 

Yes, it is the time you get familiar with cryptocurrency.

Get that crypto account on Binance if you don’t want to carry USD currency or you want more money to skydive.

Make sure that you verify your Binance account when you are in India. It will save your time.

Now, If you have decided to opt for cryptocurrency, we need a Tinkoff bank account or YooMoney digital account. Not all Russian banks are supported in Binance because of Russia Sanctions.

Those are the two ways to get Fiat Rubles in Russia from Binance.

Note: Those who are not into cryptocurrency, Fiat term is used for a government-issued currency.

For a detailed guide on how to transfer USDT to Tinkoff bank or YooMoney (also known as ЮMoney), you can refer to this guide.

Yes, I also referred that guide 😛

Important Note: I spent a lot of money because someone decided to not share this information. As my friend Rahees says, If you spend money to learn something, it doesn’t mean everyone has to. The Indian skydiving community is supposed to help everyone and save money. Being a skydiver, I know how difficult it is to save money for skydiving for Indians.

Again, I am thankful to Jayant for sharing it. Jayant like people keeps the spirit of skydiving alive. He is getting his A license.

What next? Skydiving in Russia. Isn’t it?

There are three places that I would like to talk about. 1) Aerograd 2) Krutitcy, and 3) Skycenter Puschino

If you are planning to get your license, you can opt for one of these dropzones.

Now, I will be sharing current (June 2022) prices for each dropzone.

Note: I have never been to Skycenter Puschino, but I have met many people who say that it is good.

For AFF at different places in Russia

As you already know, different dropzone have different prices and rules for AFF and A license. So go through these details very carefully. Let me know if I have misrepresented any information.

As I observed, Prices have increased compared to last year.

For A License after AFF

My Recommendations for AFF

Before you know recommendations, understand that I am A licensed skydiver with 70+ jumps. I have been to SkydiveSpain, Dubai, and Russia for skydiving. My recommendations cannot be referred as coming from someone experienced. This views are my own drawn from my experiences. Nothing Else.

Aerograd:

I liked this dropzone. Though accommodation is kind of shady, but restaurant is good. They have good options for food at afforable rates.

Instructors are good specially chief instructor. He gives individual attention to each student and makes sure that students understand what they are doing.

Note: They give weightage to payments in Euro or USD for AFF and A License Fees as they are affiliated with FlightClub. It is good in a way that volatility in exchange of Ruble and INR can be avoided. Go through FlightClub website to know repeat jump prices as well as refund policy.

He makes sure that you pass your level. For small mistakes, he ask instructors to correct in next level instead of repeating the entire level. Thats my observation.

At the same time, he is strict about rules.

Krutitcy:

This dropzone is also good. Accommodation are good. Make sure to book in advance as it fills out quickly during weekends. Restaurant is not good speacilly for Indians. They provide limited options and no menu in English. Food is expensive too.

Instructors are good but you won’t feel special connection with chief instructor. Your Instructor takes decision of your progression (Again my observation). Also, I have seen more repeat jumps in Krutitcy compared to Aerograd.

I never saw chief instructor giving ground school to foreign students. My stay was limited but that’s What I obsevered.

I will be doing more jumps in Krutitcy because of cost factor. I am already A license, so I don’t need to worry about basics. I would recommeded to take AFF from Aerograd and after that, A license from Krutitcy.

Skycenter Puschino:

I have never been to this dropzone. I have added it because many people are visiting this dropzone too.

For Licensed Skydivers

Note: Prices of Rig rental varies based on size. If you are using below 200size, It will be 800+250 at Aerograd and 800 at Krutitcy. If above 200size, it will be 950+300 at Aerograd and 900 at Krutitcy.

Traveling from Moscow to Dropzones

Make sure that you spend one day in Moscow to ensure that you get your bank account opened. However, if you have enough cash in Rubles, you can open your bank account from a bank near to your dropzones.

1) Aerograd

YandexGo Taxi

1. Domodedovo Airport: It will cost somewhere 3000₽
2. Sheremetyevo Airport: It will cost somewhere 4500₽

Train

1. Use https://www.tutu.ru/poezda/ to check the routes.
2. Take Cab to Moscow station
3. From Vykhino, Moscow — Kolomna (Golutvin)
4. Take Cab to Dropzone.

Bus

Download Yandex Map, and search for your route.

2) Krutitcy

YandexGo Taxi

1. Domodedoco Airport: It will cost somewhere 6000₽
2. Sheremetyevo Airport: It will cost somewhere 8500₽

Train

1. Use https://www.tutu.ru/poezda/ to check the routes.
2. Take Cab to Moscow station
3. From Moscow to Ryazan
4. Ryazan to Shilovo
5. Take Cab to Dropzone.

Bus

Download Yandex Map, and search for your route.

3) Skycenter Puschino

YandexGo Taxi

3. Domodedoco Airport: It will cost somewhere 3000₽
4. Sheremetyevo Airport: It will cost somewhere 4000₽

Train

Use https://www.tutu.ru/poezda/ to check the routes.

Route: I don’t know.

Bus

Download Yandex Map, and search for your route.

Tips and Tricks to travel and skydive in Russia for Indians

• Let’s start with food, I have food in Krutitcy. Aerograd got better options. If you are vegetarian, may God/your-planning help you in Russia.
  • If you are vegetarian, text me on instagram before planning your trip.

• Pre-book your stay as well as AFF course. Dropzone might not have place for you. This is one of the alternatives of Airbnb in Russia.
• Transportation is expensive. Stay within the hostel of dropzones. Don’t venture or rent a car. It might cost you 2000+ Rubles per day. But if you are traveling in a group, it is a better choice.
• Download an offline Google map from Moscow to your selected dropzone.
• Get a Beeline SIM card. It will cost you around 750 Rubles with 50GB data and 1200minutes for 30days. Don’t fall for trap when they say that such plan doesn’t exist. There is another company which provides Sim at Airport: 690 Rubles 30GB data, 700 Min, 700 SMS for 30days
• Download Google translate application. Make sure you download the Russian keyword as well. Download Russian as an offline language too. So, even without a network, you can use this application.
• Download YandexGo, Yandex Map, Beeline App, as well.
• Jump on good days as many times as you can. We never know what the weather will be tomorrow.
• Give contact details of Russian dropzone to your family members as well as give your family details to dropzone or someone from dropzone.
• Make sure you get insurance
• Beware of scammers. Don’t share card details and keep cap on your card limit.
• Don’t forget to check the weather online during your visit.
• Dollar/Euro bills must be very crisp and with no markings. They don’t accept otherwise.
• Get Ready-To-Eat food and electric kittle, so you can eat instant noodles and boiled eggs for quick breakfast.
• If you are traveling as a group, hiring a car will be viable option. It costs around 2000 Rubles per day. However, a cab from airport to Krutitcy will cost 10000 Rubles. It also gives you option to visit different cafes.
• Blue Skies

I hope it was worth reading and give me shoutout on Instagram if you liked this article. Here is my instagram ID: https://www.instagram.com/explorewithshweta/

P.S Special Thanks to Nisarg for helping with proof editing.