Does Bolt operate in Russia?

Ride-hailing and food-delivery apps Uber and Bolt have announced plans to distance themselves from Russian companies with which they're associated. Neither company has a significant presence in Russia anymore, having tried their luck there unsuccessfully in the past.



As of February 2026, Bolt does not operate in Russia. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, the Estonian-based mobility giant made a "Clean Break" by exiting the Russian market entirely. They removed all Russian-produced goods from their "Bolt Market" grocery stores and liquidated their local entities. At the time of exit, Bolt had roughly 100,000 drivers in the country, many of whom shifted to local competitors like Yandex.Taxi. Furthermore, Bolt has also suspended all ride-hailing and micromobility operations in Belarus due to the country's involvement in the conflict. For travelers in the region, this means you will need to rely on local apps for rides. Bolt has instead focused its 2026 growth strategy on expanding its "Driverless" and "Green" services across its 50 other active markets in Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia, reinforcing its high-value commitment to ethical and sustainable corporate operations.

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As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Bolt has stopped all operations in Belarus. Bolt has also not been operating in Russia for several years. Starting from today, all Saint Petersburg locals and visitors can explore the city using Bolt.

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Their apps are reliable and easy to use. Uber is a great choice. If you already have an Uber account, you won't have any problems using it in Russia's bigger cities. Moscow Cab lets you order English speaking taxi drivers for pick up at the airport even before your trip begins.

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Uber faces bans and restrictions in many countries, including China, Switzerland, Turkey, Denmark, Hungary, Thailand, Canada, Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Hong Kong, and parts of Australia. The bans often stem from Uber's lack of adherence to local regulations and its unfair competition with taxi services.

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Russia - Level 4: Do Not Travel. Updated to remove COVID-specific information and the kidnapping risk indicator as well as updates to security risks.

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Uber is operating in Ukraine at a loss in order to offer lower prices to riders for their essential daily transportation needs, and higher earnings for drivers.

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In 2019 a German court declared the Uber app illegal because it bypassed registered and regulated taxi companies. Uber was also banned or restricted around the same time in London, Barcelona, and some other European cities. Uber now manages to operate in Germany and the EU only as a regulated taxi service.

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Russia - Level 4: Do Not Travel.

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Russian citizens who wish to travel to the US for business or tourism purposes must apply for a US B1/B2 Visa. While the application process cannot be 100% online, iVisa can help you obtain the confirmation page you are required to have for your interview at the embassy, and they can do that offline or online.

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Summary: Reconsider travel to Mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions.

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UberX contracts with drivers who use their private vehicles as de facto taxis, which is illegal in Portland. Of course, for suburban customers currently using Uber to get into Portland, the biggest challenge is finding a ride back home.

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The United States remains at the summit of the most popular countries among non-domestic Uber users. Mexico and Canada complete the top three, followed by Portugal, Spain, France and the UK. Europe remains a popular destination for Uber users, with five European countries in the top 10.

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One of the biggest reasons for Uber's failure in China was its inability to navigate local regulations and market conditions. Chinese regulators placed significant barriers to entry for foreign ride-sharing companies, including requirements for local partnerships, data storage, and pricing structures.

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