Russian Ruble · ₽ · Official currency of Russia
The Russian ruble (₽) is one of Europe's oldest currency names, in use since the 13th century. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a 1998 currency reform exchanged 1,000 old rubles for 1 new ruble, establishing today's system.
Six denominations circulate: ₽100, ₽200, ₽500, ₽1,000, ₽2,000, and ₽5,000, each featuring landmark cities or sites from different regions of Russia.
Due to international sanctions, foreign-issued cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) often cannot be used within Russia, so it's essential to confirm your payment options before visiting. Currency exchange can also be complicated by restrictions on international transfer and exchange networks, so checking current information early in your planning is important. Because country-specific travel and financial sanctions can change over time, it's worth reviewing your home country's official travel advisories before departure.
You can view the real banknote designs on the Bank of Russia's official page.
See Russian Ruble banknotes at today's exchange rate →