For those already in the country, cash remains the most reliable payment method as Western credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) generally do not work at Russian merchants.
Larger banks such as Bank of America , Chase, and Wells Fargo may still fulfill ruble orders for account holders, but usually require in-person pickup and an advance notice of up to a week. where to buy russian rubles
You can withdraw rubles directly from local ATMs. If you have a foreign card that is still functional (such as those from certain non-sanctioned regions), avoid Sberbank machines, which have had security issues, and try UniCredit or Raiffeisen instead. 3. Transit Hubs & Alternative Methods For those already in the country, cash remains