Moscow, Russia. Date: June 7, 2022. Photo: screengrab/Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Many Russians who have been unable to travel abroad due to sanctions imposed by the West on the country following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have decided to visit their country's touristic sites instead.
According to official figures, nearly 40 million Russians travelled abroad annually. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in April changed this as Western countries began sanctioning Russian airlines. This has prevented Russians seeking tourism in Europe from travelling. Many have decided to travel across their country instead.
Irina Moshkalo is another Russian citizen. She told Rudaw’s Kamiz Shadadi on Tuesday that she used to visit Europe every year but the sanctions on Russian airlines have prevented her from going there this year.
“We go to Europe every year. We wanted to go this year as well but there is no direct flight from Moscow. One has to travel over a third country but this is very costly,” she said.
Denis Tsarkov, a college student, said he will travel to the neighbouring Belarus, his birthplace, rather than European countries because he does not need a flight. “I do not have an issue as I can travel via car. I wanted to go to the Maldives but I cannot afford it now.”
European airspace has been closed to Russian planes. They have also confiscated tens of Russian planes since the invasion began in April.
“Due to the current situation, I did not have plans to travel outside the country this year. We decided to travel across Russia instead. I have brought my family to Moscow. We come from Kazan. I wanted my children to see our capital city,” said Jamile Ildarova.
Russians who bought tickets before the Russian invasion cannot travel now due to sanctions on Russian airlines. Their flights have been cancelled but they have not been compensated. The Russian government has decided to provide financial support to these airlines by 2023 to prevent them from declaring bankruptcy.
Yuriy Barzikin, deputy head of Russia’s Tourism Industry Association, told Rudaw that there are risks for those Russians who visit abroad.
“There are still risks for those [Russian] citizens who travel abroad due to certain reasons: geopolitical situation, plane issues … and in many countries our citizens cannot use Russian bank cards. Therefore, many people cannot travel,” he said.
According to official figures, nearly 40 million Russians travelled abroad annually. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in April changed this as Western countries began sanctioning Russian airlines. This has prevented Russians seeking tourism in Europe from travelling. Many have decided to travel across their country instead.
Irina Moshkalo is another Russian citizen. She told Rudaw’s Kamiz Shadadi on Tuesday that she used to visit Europe every year but the sanctions on Russian airlines have prevented her from going there this year.
“We go to Europe every year. We wanted to go this year as well but there is no direct flight from Moscow. One has to travel over a third country but this is very costly,” she said.
Denis Tsarkov, a college student, said he will travel to the neighbouring Belarus, his birthplace, rather than European countries because he does not need a flight. “I do not have an issue as I can travel via car. I wanted to go to the Maldives but I cannot afford it now.”
European airspace has been closed to Russian planes. They have also confiscated tens of Russian planes since the invasion began in April.
“Due to the current situation, I did not have plans to travel outside the country this year. We decided to travel across Russia instead. I have brought my family to Moscow. We come from Kazan. I wanted my children to see our capital city,” said Jamile Ildarova.
Russians who bought tickets before the Russian invasion cannot travel now due to sanctions on Russian airlines. Their flights have been cancelled but they have not been compensated. The Russian government has decided to provide financial support to these airlines by 2023 to prevent them from declaring bankruptcy.
Yuriy Barzikin, deputy head of Russia’s Tourism Industry Association, told Rudaw that there are risks for those Russians who visit abroad.
“There are still risks for those [Russian] citizens who travel abroad due to certain reasons: geopolitical situation, plane issues … and in many countries our citizens cannot use Russian bank cards. Therefore, many people cannot travel,” he said.
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