According to a report by the Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) published on May 20, 2026, Russian citizens can now fly directly to only 30 countries for their vacations. This is a significant decrease from the 90 countries accessible during the Soviet era, as confirmed by ATOR's analysis of current flight schedules and sanctions.
The reduction is primarily due to Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which have led to the closure of airspace to Russian airlines by the European Union, the United States, Canada, and other nations. Additionally, the high price of jet fuel, exacerbated by sanctions on Russian oil exports, has made many international routes economically unviable for Russian carriers.
Among the 30 accessible countries are Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Thailand, and several former Soviet republics. However, many popular destinations in Europe, North America, and Asia are no longer reachable via direct flights. ATOR noted that the number of direct flight destinations has been steadily declining since 2022.
The situation has forced many Russians to seek alternative travel routes, including connecting flights through third countries like Turkey or the UAE, which can significantly increase travel time and costs. The Russian government has attempted to mitigate the impact by expanding flight subsidies and promoting domestic tourism, but the options remain limited.
This development marks a stark contrast to the Soviet era, when Aeroflot operated flights to over 90 countries, albeit with significant restrictions on travel freedom. The current limitations highlight the ongoing impact of geopolitical tensions on everyday life in Russia.
