Im from south Texas, near Mexico, and moved to St. Petersburg a month ago. The people have been extremely welcoming and the city is absolutely beautiful. Everything has been quite comfortable although unfortunately covid is still holding back it's true potential.

Been to both Moscow and my beloved Piter several times, walked alone in unknown areas also by night - while my husband was on his laptop working - and there was not a split second that I felt unsafe. I felt totally safe at ANY point in time, also at night alone as a woman, felt actually surrounded by friendly and helpful Russians in these beautiful, clean towns, full of culture and style. And фёдор, who the hell would drink with some unknown shady company - be it in Russia or anywhere else on the planet??

In Moscow I saw 2-4 security guards at every Metro entrance which I was surprised by. They scan people with a metal detector as they go by, and if you have a backpack sometimes they will make you place it in a device that scans it, or put it on a conveyor like at the airport. They didn't always stop me, but I had to do it a few times. Security was in practically every building. At least in the center of Moscow. Museums, places of worship, and shopping centers. I didn't see a ton of police like you see in New York when they're all standing around, but I saw police a few times and I saw their cars driving by (including unmarked Mercedes police cars - interesting). I also saw what I presume was an off-duty police officer in a cafe; he was wearing regular clothes but he had a leather holster for a Makarov pistol on his belt. I felt very safe 100% of the time when I was in Moscow. And I traveled solo only knowing a little bit of the language. I encourage everyone to go.

I'm from Egypt and i started learning your Russian lessons two weeks ago And you are a very good teacher :)

I am English I live in the Far East of Russia Primorski Krai I have been here for 2 years I have never seen or heard about any violence People here are great Anytime I have had a problem with the car (I have a UAZ) I am overwhelmed with people wanting to help Fedor gives good advice about alcohol Enjoy Russia!!

Hello Fedor Shiri. I just saw your videos about a week and they are so helpful. I am taking Russian classes and these videos sure help especially coming from an enthusiastic person as you. You are a "golden bridge" and bring cultures and "tribes" together to understand one another. Please keep doing what you are doing. You really seem to enjoy what you do and is shows.

I thing I have learned as a traveler... dont keep patting the pockets where you keep your valuables. It alerts the pickpockets which pocket to target.

I was in Moscow 2 weeks ago and it’s very nice and safe. Although if you don’t know Russian you will have trouble communicating. Hardly anyone there speaks English unfortunately. Thankfully I know some enough to speak with people lol. I didn’t come across another American during my stay there lol most of not all of them are just other Russians from other places es of Russia. I did get a few stares here and there when they heard me speaking in English. But nothing sketchy. Overall it was awesome and the people were friendly despite not knowing English they tried their best ahah. Will definitely go back since my visa is valid for 3 years. Oh and I will add that I went for food at 3 am and didn’t really feel scared tbh. But I was near the center of Moscow so I’m just talking about the center of Moscow I don’t know about the outskirts lol. If you’re going near the center it’s completely safe and over cool. I loved my stay there.

I felt so safe in Russia -- and TBH, I traveled near the Syrian border and felt safer than I have in the US. I am planning to go back to Russia this winter -dependent on if US citizens are allowed with the COVID stuff. Hoping to be back soon!))

Excellent advice, thanks for the post. I want to go to St. Pete and go to symphony, opera & ballet, as well as sightseeing, as soon as this covid mess is behind us. I wish you all good health until then.

Good info, Fedor! Thanks.

Great video! I know that this question is relevant for many foreigners.

Спасибо Федору за вашу работу. Я уже 10 лет мечтаю поехать в Россию. Вы бы пришли, даже если бы это было опасно

I went to Murmansk and Kandalaksha by car and these are very provincial cities. Absolutely no trouble at all and locals were really friendly since learned some russian before the trip. No one up in the north spoke english but they were really impressed about foreigners learning russian. Foreigners wont find any trouble with common sense.

Great videos. One thing, they're mixed a little quiet. Hope that's useful. Keep up the good content!

So true, I just arrived at SVO airport in Moscow and it is indeed very safe.

I survived several years in Russia in the big bad mid-90s...I can handle anything.

Great video

Very useful

I was there summer 2019. I wonder what the regulations are like in 2022. I want to go to Peter.

Omg! I booked my trip to St Petersburg

Hey Fedor, what about gopnicks?

Yes. I live in Moscow and I feel very safe. Just stay sober in public and take the common-sense precautions.

I STILL want to go to Russia! 😊

Не только Москва и Питер подготовлены для иностранных туристов. Казань ещё, Сочи.

*Question:* I used to live in a small town in Moravia, but when I went to Prague I wore a so-called "fanny-pack" to keep my passport and wallet, etc. in. Is this a good idea--or does it mark you out as a tourist who's "easy pickings"?

Moscow is shutting down now as Covid is running wild. Some measures taken in Piter also. Russia is only 31% vaccinated and few people are wearing masks. Delta is an issue. Now is probably not a great time for a trip. One of my friends is a manager at a large hotel in Piter. Normally her hotel has a lot of guests from Europe. Now very few. Mostly guests from other places in Russia. Europeans are staying away.

Correct me if I'm wrong. But aren't they requiring anyone coming into Russia to get the Covid vaccine? J/C. Спасибо заранее!

Thank you! How is it, when you get to know people on the countryside and they invite you to come in and maybe have a drink, is it ok?

Hello @Fedor, i am moving to Russia for my studies in St-Petersburg (GSOM University). Do you know where i can find a flat? I am struggling. I would be happy to see a video about it:D. Best Regards

Unfortunately, traffic police still asks for bribes (including from foreigners) in Russia. I agree with you other points though.

Thank you for this info...well good I don't drink personally.

I hardly ever hear anything on this topic, but I feel it's very important for some travelers. Be very careful with drugs. The police is a lot more strict about them than in most European countries. Avoiding them altogether is the best option. Possession is illegal, the amounts (weight) that turn a administrative offence (basically, just a fine) into a criminal offence are miniscule for pretty much everything but weed. If you get caught, you probably should try to solve the issue "on the spot" (pay, a lot). Be careful don't offer it clearly, make sure nobody, but the policemen hear you, and there are no recording devices around (most police cars have internal cameras).

I noticed you said that guns are prohibited in Russia. Did you mean that they are prohibited to carry around just in public ? Because I know people who live in Russia and some of them are gun collectors. What I heard was that you have to have a smooth bore such as a shotgun for a minimum of 5 years and then you can get a license to have hunting rifles and even AR-15’s and of course the Russian beauty, the AK.

StP is the safest city I have ever been to and I travel a lot.

Off topic, but what’s the Russian equivalent of “yes sir” or “yes ma’am” if you are, for example, answering a police officer’s questions and want to show respect?

Thanks for addressing LGBT issues in Russia. I have been 3 times to Russia. You do have to be cautious about outwardly showing affection and be very cautious about strangers who might seem overtly friendly online or on the street. Both situations can end up in violence. But, there is a large LGBT community in Russia, you just have to be "discrete". This is true for most of Eastern Europe.

I do not care I think Russia is safe and good when is the best countries in the world ❤️♥️ I will be safe with the Russian people

The crime is smart in Russia nowdays. You will not be robbed or attact just by rendom citizents on street. Even if you go outside tourists routs. Probably not a good idea to go to an abandoned factory in Krasniy Treugolnik (Huge abandoned area in Saint Petersburg) at night to have a drankard rave party with people you've just met on tinder. Othervise you have more choises to be a subject of a crime if you recieve a "phone call from Sberbank". If you'r staiyng for a while meet friendly people who will be more than glad to help you with renting and stuff like that. Cultural and language exchange is what they will be interested in :)

Guns aren't prohibited in Russia. I think it's a matter of perspective, if you're from the US, then yeah, they're less common, but if you're from somewhere like the UK or Japan, they're a lot more common. They sell these "self-defence" (traumatic) pistols in Russia that shoot plastic bullets, I'm not talking about airsoft guns, they actually work like real guns and they look exactly the same. There are various types of weapon that are banned in places like the UK that are freely available in Russia. And there have been two mass shootings this year in Russia (using shotguns). kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l65yldp0r9m-c58.html

I live in reginal Victoria Australia, and I believe it would be safer to live in Russia than here!

It's really safe for all us tourists in Russia at the moment as we are all in lockdown. 🌞🌈

Видос клёвый!

это как лотерея, может да а мож нет это как продукция автоваза - дело везения

*Laughs in Los Angeles*

The problems you listed are pretty much the same for every country, for most part are tourist / foreigner friendly but will have arseholes looking to fuck you over. I'd love to go to Russia and my only concern is I wouldn't be able to acquire weed, I gotta have my smoke 😒

You didn’t tell the people about the dropped wallet scam/trick!

Is it safe to go to Russia is like saying is it safe to go to Atlanta... There are probably some parts to stay away from.

The EU just said the Sweden is the most dangerous country in Europe. I've been there so i guess Russia will be fine :D

The worst thing you're going to get is a fist? I'd be more worried about BLADES! Just going to ignore that little factoid?

i'm a russian dude who looks mildly gender non conforming (long fringe, skinny build, bracelets) and sometimes i hear drunk dudes or teenagers shout homophobic slurs at me, but it has never escalated to anything physical. and i live in a relatively big province town (~400 000 people). i wouldn't say i feel completely safe, but i've heard my friends from america describe similar things happening to them, so i guess as long as you don't wear like make up or dresses as a man you're probably gonna be fine

I lived in Russia twice for about four years total. Never had any issue with crime. But now US State Department advises against travel to Russia due to harrassment of Americans by police and government officials. Numerous Americans have been detained on phony espionage charges. I won't go back under the present conditions. Hoping for better days in Russia.

I live in the knife crime capital of the world. Bring it, Moscow, I'm coming for ya.

Romanov's know all about guns being involved.

1:33 why did every country ban guns but mine 😭🇺🇲

The murder rate is at least 2 times higher in Russia. Kind of makes the gun point meaningless.

This was gracious of you Fedor to mention LBTQ in your video and yet leave it to gay couple to share their experiences.

you said at one point use your common sense. america quit making common sense 20 years ago now lets go brandon

Great video. But Moscow and St.P are not Russia. If you live close to Ukraine, Caucasus, Chechnya, etc. the game changes drastically. Homeless dogs, gangs of Armenians, and быдло as far as the eye can see.

Бегите глупцы

I’m Russian and I’m gonna say it’s never safe in Russia for everyone ( girls, foreigners or guys) I have a lot of crime stories from my hometown and I have friends who live in different places in Russia they also have lots of crazy stories 😅

Is it safe for LGTBQ+ people? I feel like this subject is always omitted. If the answer is no, then it's not safe for everybody.