Russia & Ukraine Master Thread

[ckmk47]

I'm living in Ukraine at the moment and know nothing about this 

State controlled media?

[Alexsei]

I'm living in Ukraine at the moment and know nothing about this 

What is the media in Ukraine telling you about what's going on in USA?

[Suave]

What is the media in Ukraine telling you about what's going on in USA?

Something about Biden hiking up cream cheese prices to tax the Jews...

I have been avoiding media since the start of the pandemic. Ignorance really is bliss especially when those around you are also blissfully ignorant.

[shmuelb]

Moscow
Visa- You need a visa to go to Russia.  For Americans, it cost $300 (plus expediter fee) for a visa that is valid for 3 years. After submission, it takes more than 2 weeks to get.
Taxi- A regular cab can easily rip off a tourist in Moscow.  In advance, we were also told by locals to download Yandak Taxi
-Arabat is the pedestrian mall shopping center.

Thanks for the awesome TR!
yandak => yandex
arabat => Arbat

[Joel]

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/18/antony-blinken-heads-to-ukraine-as-potential-russian-invasion-looms.html

@Suave Are you seeing any Russian soldiers yet?

[Suave]

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/18/antony-blinken-heads-to-ukraine-as-potential-russian-invasion-looms.html

@Suave Are you seeing any Russian soldiers yet?

Nope, although it's a kiddish discussion point lately.

[Ellen]

Whats the deal with visiting Russia on a US passport these days?

[Saulius]

Whats the deal with visiting Russia on a US passport these days?

You absolutely could, but is it worth the risk?

See; https://ru.usembassy.gov/russia-level-4-do-not-travel/

Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the arbitrary enforcement of
local law.  U.S. citizens should depart Russia immediately.

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately.  Limited commercial flight options are still available.  Overland routes by car and bus are also still open.  If you wish to depart Russia, you should make arrangements on your own as soon as possible.  If you plan to stay in Russia, understand the U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may change suddenly.  U.S. citizens who are able to depart Russia for another country and are in need of emergency assistance upon arrival may contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in that country.

[Ellen]

You absolutely could, but is it worth the risk?

See; https://ru.usembassy.gov/russia-level-4-do-not-travel/

Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the arbitrary enforcement of
local law.  U.S. citizens should depart Russia immediately.

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately.  Limited commercial flight options are still available.  Overland routes by car and bus are also still open.  If you wish to depart Russia, you should make arrangements on your own as soon as possible.  If you plan to stay in Russia, understand the U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens, and conditions, including transportation options, may change suddenly.  U.S. citizens who are able to depart Russia for another country and are in need of emergency assistance upon arrival may contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in that country.

I know it can be risky, that's why I'm asking. Wondering if anyone here knows of anyone who went recently.
The US State department tends to make things sound worse than they are. I am not sure how dramatic they are being this time hence my question

[ckmk47]

Technical note:
Russia has been cut off from international banking, so only Russian credit cards - meaning no Visa, MC etc.   IDK about American currency.

[Saulius]

Technical note:
Russia has been cut off from international banking, so only Russian credit cards - meaning no Visa, MC etc.   IDK about American currency.

Also, since the western airlines are not flying into Russia, the airfares have been exorbitant. Most travellers now fly into Poland or Lithuania, Latvia, or Estonia and then take a bus. From Poland or Lithuania, one can take a bus to Minsk, and from there get a flight to Moscow with Belavia. (Foreigners only allowed into Russia by official border entry point, so not allowed to transit by road between Belarus and Russia, where there is no border). From Latvia or Estonia there are direct buses to Moscow or St. Petersburg with Ecolines.

You are allowed to bring up to $10,000 into Russia without declaring to customs. I do not know how favorable the exchange rates are, but Chinese credit cards work, so many travellers are getting UnionPay cards. Otherwise, best exchange ranges is converting bitcoin to ruble. https://www.bestchange.com/bitcoin-to-tinkoff.html

I just know this, as I am advising those who are travelling to Russia to work in Summer camps, who are not EU or US citizens.

[Onefishtwofish]

Whats the deal with visiting Russia on a US passport these days?

Those who I personally know fly via istanbul to Russia. Several flights go to several cities.

[Saulius]

Those who I personally know fly via istanbul to Russia. Several flights go to several cities.

JFK to Moscow - average round trip price economy with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is $3,793.87 in July. That's why I tell everybody to fly into Warsaw and take the bus, or Helsinki, and then take the ferry to Tallinn and then the bus.

[ckmk47]

JFK to Moscow - average round trip price economy with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul is $3,793.87 in July. That's why I tell everybody to fly into Warsaw and take the bus, or Helsinki, and then take the ferry to Tallinn and then the bus.

Wow! What a journey. 

[shapsam]

Uman Rosh Hashana 2022 - flights booked (for now):

Inbound
JFK-IST-KBP J 45k TK, booked before the war started and keeping it for the 1% chance that flights resume.

JFK-WAW LO J 77k UA
WAW-RZE LO $34

Outbound
IAS-BGY $64
SCV-BGY $11

MXP-JFK EK F 85k EK



These are the options for RZE to Uman (it's too early to know/choose the best option right now):
1. Taxi to the border, cross the border by foot, car service waiting at the other side and drive to Uman (Mezhibush is right on the way).
2. Take a train across the border from Przemishyl to Lviv and car from there to Mezhibush/Uman.
3. Train from Przemishyl to Vinnitsa and car to Uman.
4. Charter train in the works from Poland to a city near Uman.


Will have to choose between the two airports in Romania for the outbound. SCV is further from Uman and only one border crossing from Ukraine into Romania, IAS is closer but you need to travel from Ukraine through Moldova and into Romania.

[Saulius]

Will have to choose between the two airports in Romania for the outbound. SCV is further from Uman and only one border crossing from Ukraine into Romania, IAS is closer but you need to travel from Ukraine through Moldova and into Romania.

Going from Iasi via Moldova, the closest route is via - Cosăuţi- Yampil border, there is no bridge yet (they started construction right before the war started), so to cross the Dniester river one has to take the ferry, which only operates during daylight hours, and might be a long wait.

Chisinau (KIV) airport is back to normal now and also has flights to BGY, distance to Uman is 267 km / 165 miles.

[ChikkyMonkey]

Uman Rosh Hashana 2022 - flights booked (for now):

Inbound
JFK-IST-KBP J 45k TK, booked before the war started and keeping it for the 1% chance that flights resume.

I’d say the chances are well below 1% on that one…

[shapsam]

Going from Iasi via Moldova, the closest route is via - Cosăuţi- Yampil border, there is no bridge yet (they started construction right before the war started), so to cross the Dniester river one has to take the ferry, which only operates during daylight hours, and might be a long wait.

Chisinau (KIV) airport is back to normal now and also has flights to BGY, distance to Uman is 267 km / 165 miles.

The route that people are comfortable taking currently between Uman and KIV, is over 500 km through the Mohylov-Podilsk border, otherwise it'll be too close to Russian controlled areas/battle zones.

[Suave]

The route that people are comfortable taking currently between Uman and KIV, is over 500 km through the Mohylov-Podilsk border, otherwise it'll be too close to Russian controlled areas/battle zones.

I've crossed Palanca in the south as well as mogilov-podolsk many times over the past few months. Very few issues BH.
Flying into KIV may be an issue as many Israelis have been refused entry

[chff]

https://facebook.com/UkraineInIsrael/posts/pfbid02Tp1yAZBnttGUsjP4wKA3toQnYyHuKYyBCmhvFo9aUpDnPywApLVncNtV3Hbr5WFvl