Essential Information For Russia

Russia was among the first countries to introduce radio and television. The telecommunications system in Russia has undergone significant changes since the 1980s, resulting in more than 1,000 companies licensed to offer communication services today.

For the domestic calls in Russia, cross country digital trunk line from Saint Petersburg to Khabarovsk, and from Moscow to Novorossiysk; the telephone systems in 60 regional capitals have modern digital infrastructures; cellular services, both analog and digital, are available in many areas; in rural areas, the telephone services are still outdated, inadequate, and low density.

On the other hand, for international calls, country code - 7; Russia is connected internationally by undersea fiber optic cables; digital switches in several cities provide more than 50,000 lines for international calls; satellite earth stations provide access to Intelsat, Intersputnik, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Orbita systems.

Russian City Telephone Codes 

• Republic of Adygea - 877
• Altai Krai - 385
• Altai Republic - 388   
• Amur Oblast - 416
• Arkhangelsk Oblast and Nenets Autonomous Okrug - 818
• Astrakhan Oblast - 851
• Moscow City - 495, 499
• Moscow Oblast - 496, 498
• Saint Petersburg - 812

Russian Emergency Numbers

• Fire service - 01
• Police - 02
• Ambulance - 03
• Gas Service - 04
• Directory Assistance, Rostelecom - 07
• Directory Assistance (Free, Limited Info) - 09
• Directory Assistance (Pay Service, 35 rub./min.) in Moscow - 009
• Talking Clock in Moscow - 100
• Medical - 112
• Fire, Search and Rescue - 01

Russian Toll Free and Pay Line Codes

• FPH- Freephone - 800
• AAB – Automatic Alternative Billing - 801
• CCC – Credit Card Calling - 802
• VOT – Televoting - 803
• UAN - Universal Access Number - 804
• PCC – Prepaid Card Calling - 805
• ACC – Account Card Calling - 806
• VPN - Virtual Private Network - 807
• UPT – Universal Personal Telecommunication - 808
• PRM- Premium rate - 809
• Reserved - 881-899
• Data Transfer Services - 970
• Telematic Services - 971

List of Banks in Russia

• Avtobank
• Savings Bank of the Russian Federation,Located at Moscow
• DIB - Doveritelny i Investitsionny Bank
• Rosbank (ex Nezavysimost Bank), Moscow
• Raiffeisenbank Austria
• Mezhdunarodny Movskovsky Bank 
• IMB - International Moscow Bank.Located at Moscow.
• Vneshtorgbank 
• Bank For Foreign Trade, Located at Moscow.
• Gazprombank 
• Commercial Bank For Gas Industry.Located at Moscow
• IIB 
• International Industrial Bank, Located at Moscow
• Alfa-Ban
• Citibank, Moscow
• MDM-Bank
• SBS Agro Ban
• Surgutneftegazbank, Surgut, Tyumen Province
• Globexbank
• Evrofinans JSCB
• Promyshlenno-Stroitelny Bank
• Moskovsky Munitsipalny Bank
• Bash Credit BankMenatep

Russian Bank Account Opening Tips

• There are different types of accounts you can open in Russian banks. The most common are current and savings accounts. Current accounts are more convenient for everyday payments.

• In some cases it makes sense to have different types of accounts for different purposes. For example, a ruble account can be useful to receive your Russian salary. A card account in rubles can be used for ATMs and a dollar or euro account can be used to transfer money home.

• The type of documents required to open a bank account depends on the kind of services you want, the type of account and the specific bank requirements. For example, Citibank and Raiffeisen will ask for a letter from your employer. At Delta you can open an account automatically with your passport and link it to your home bank.

• While some services are offered online, in many cases (at the Moscow International Banks) you will need to go to the bank to open a bank account.

• You don´t necessarily need to open a bank account to withdraw money. You can use your own ATM card from home to withdraw money from the ATMs. But be aware that fees for these withdrawals can be rather high.