In Russia, severe economic sanctions from the West have begun to bite. Long queues have been seen at ATMs. People are trying to raise their savings before the ruble collapses any further.
MOSCOW / HELSINKI In Russia, the weekday turned white amid severe sanctions. Long queues formed at ATMs as early as the weekend as Russians tried to withdraw their savings in rubles and exchange them for other currencies before exchange rates plummeted further.
‘s Russian correspondent Erkka Mikkonen explained Muscovites’ thoughts on sanctions.
Alexei Seleznjov is one of many directed at ATMs.
– I still don’t know what’s going on with the salary payment, Seleznjov says.
A Muscovite Olga tells that she is afraid she will soon be unable to buy food for her child.
– I was fired a moment ago, I got a letter of resignation, Olga says.
Western countries have imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia. The reason is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
– Ordinary people realize that no one needs war. ApplePay no longer works. Facebook is going to shut down. Of course, this affects everyone. War is not good, he says Kazbek.
The ruble collapsed on Monday
A Muscovite Margarita tells that locals do not like sanctions and would prefer to continue their daily lives.
– We all love peace as well as travel and foreign goods. Why are these sanctions needed?
Sherja and Frosja distribute white tulips to newcomers in Moscow. They say they want to share love with people.
– It’s needed now. We are against the war. It is a real pity that this is happening. We are really worried.
In Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg, about 20 people were queuing outside the Raifessen Bank Russia branch. Everyone wanted to withdraw cash, including a 45-year-old Anton Zakharov. He equates the situation with the 1998 Russian economic crisis.
– We went through all the upheavals in 1998, so we do not trust the authorities or the banks, Zakharov told AFP.
Svetlana Paramonovan think it is safer to keep money at home.
– We have no idea what is happening now, Paramonova says.
The train connection to Finland is still running
In addition to sanctions on the economy, EU countries have also closed their airspace to Russian planes. Russia has responded in the same way and flights between Finland and Russia, for example, have now been put on ice.
Trains run to Russia at least for the time being, although the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has urged to avoid traveling to the country, says VR’s director of passenger traffic Topi Simola To STT.
On the trains in St. Petersburg, there are now returnees to Finland, but also a lot of Russians.