Russia for Indian and Global South Travellers: St Petersburg, Moscow, Hermitage and Bolshoi Advisory Edition 2026
Browse more guides: Russia travel | Europe destinations Russia for Indian and Global South Travellers: St Petersburg, Moscow, Hermitage and Bolshoi Advisory Edition 2026 TL;DR I am writing this guide with one foot on the brake. Russia in 2026 is not a normal destination. The Russia-Ukraine conflict that began on 24 February 2022 is still ongoing as I publish this on 13 May 2026, and major Western governments still have severe advisories live against travel to the Russian Federation. The US State Department lists Russia at Level 4 Do Not Travel. The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Russia. India's Ministry of External Affairs has issued cautionary travel guidance for Indian nationals and asks travellers to register with the embassy on arrival. Sanctions have cut Russia off from the Visa, Mastercard and American Express networks. Western bank cards do not work inside Russia at all. Most direct Western airline routes are suspended. That said, I am writing this for two audie...