What is happening in Russia

Any news from Russia? Or Bellarus?
Or have they all been cut out from internet?

- Internet is working, but some resources (Facebook, Twitter) are blocked. Though VPNs are still a working solution to avoid it (however not everybody aware of it, especially older non tech-savvy users).
- Many (most?) opposing and non pro-government political media is blocked also (in the Internet and from more traditional channels like TV/radio), journalists massively leaving the country.
- All anti-war actions are strongly prohibited (recent case: 0,5x avg. month salary fine for "NO WAR" signature on the snow), with up to 15 years in jail in some cases (not related to violence, just for event coverage not according to the official way). Many people got arrested on the (100% peaceful, no fireworks or anything) meetings, first time small fine and small arrest (usually 1-10 days), next time big fine (5x avg. month salary) with longer arrest and third time jail. So don't expect big movements - people don't want to go to jail for nothing as it's clear government don't hear protesting minority and propaganda works well so many people are ignorant at all to what is happening and what consequences we could be face.
- Currency deflated twice over the week, with expectations for more (reflected on the price of most foreign goods).
- Many foreign companies decided to leave Russia (including both local production and import), or stopped to work abroad like foreign stores don't ship to Russia, many services terminate accounts of Russian users or disable money payment/withdrawal.
- VISA/Master doesn't work. Yes, it's impossible to pay abroad with bank card anymore; bitcoin is of the very few options available to pay. It's not possible to receive money from abroad, and personal foreign bank transfers (from Russia) is limited to 5k$/month and only to close relatives (not yourself, it's illegal to send money to your foreign bank account if any).
- Younger people (<40 years) with bigger income and/or who can find the job abroad (like those working in tech) consider leaving Russia. Abroad flights from Russian airlines got cancelled (aircraft leasing is terminated for all airlines => aircraft can be confiscated at the foreight airport), it's VERY hard and expensive to book the ticket for next month to any direction (most popular are Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and other post-USSR).

I think some of the above applies to Belarus also, but I'm not 100% sure what exactly.

smeeag wrote:

- VISA/Master doesn't work.

How commonly are they used in Russia?

I apologize, wrote not precise: they dont work outside of Russia. Inside the country card payment work well (it uses internal system regardless VISA/Master stamp on plastic), but those who stuck outside Russia or travelling can only pay by cash they withdrawed earlier.
The exception is Russian system MIR appeared few years ago (it's similar to Visa/Master/JCB/UnionPay) which is accepted in some post-USSR countries, but vast majority (I think 95%+) still have Visa/Master.