Thousands of Russian tourists have been stranded abroad, without cash and without working credit cards, after their flights to Russia were canceled after Western sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, according to Forbes.
In particular, about 6,500 Russian tourists are in Thailand – a popular holiday destination for Russians who made up the largest group of travelers in the country in February – due to flight cancellations, many of whom have been left without functional credit cards after its services were suspended. Visa and Mastercard in Russia, the Associated Press reported.
The Russian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, told Reuters that there was “immediate government support” for the Russians trapped there, adding that Russia’s Pochta Bank was providing virtual cards using China’s UnionPay system.
Nearly 15,000 Russian tourists had been trapped in the Dominican Republic since March 2, according to AFP, and the country planned to host them temporarily.
Hundreds of Russians have been staying in Bulgaria, a popular destination for Russian skiers, since March 1, after European countries closed their airspace to Russian flights, Reuters reported.
There are few direct flights to Russia from top international destinations, as major foreign airlines have suspended flights to the country and the EU, US and other countries have closed their airspace to Russian airlines, while Russian airlines have been forced to restrict international services due to EU sanctions that have forced foreign landlords to request the return of their aircraft.
There are still ways to fly to Russia, including connecting via the Middle East, but it is not possible for all Russians abroad to want to return home at this time, given the collapsing economy and concerns that President Vladimir Putin could declare general mobilization.
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Source: Capital
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