Knowledge base / Living in Armenia
Russian Apps and Services in Armenia: What Works and What to Replace
Taxis, maps and food delivery
Yandex Go operates in Yerevan, Gyumri and other cities. You see the fare before you book and can pay in cash or by card. The app also offers courier delivery for small items. The main local competitor is GG. Keep both installed, because prices and wait times can differ a lot at rush hour.
Yandex Maps works well in Armenia and shows bus routes. Even Zvartnots airport points passengers to it for the airport bus route. Google Maps works too.
Yandex Eats has delivered in Yerevan since 2022. Popular alternatives are Menu.am, a local service that also delivers groceries, and Glovo, which covers Yerevan and Gyumri.
Online marketplaces
Wildberries and Ozon both operate in Armenia. You order through the usual app and collect from a pickup point. There are plenty of points in Yerevan and some in the larger towns.
In May 2026 both platforms temporarily hid Armenian-made goods from shoppers in Russia. The cause was new Russian customs rules, in force from 20 April 2026, that require sellers to prove where goods come from. Buyers in Armenia were largely unaffected, and Ozon said domestic sales continued at full capacity. If you sell on these platforms through an Armenian business, keep origin documents for your goods ready.
Messengers and social networks
Telegram, VK and Odnoklassniki are not blocked in Armenia. Telegram is where most expat chats, rental listings and second-hand groups live.
The problem may be on the other end. Since February 2026 Russia's regulator has been throttling Telegram inside Russia, so family members there may struggle to reach you. Agree on a backup channel. WhatsApp is very common in Armenia: landlords, clinics and most businesses use it.
Russian government portal and banks
In April 2026 Russia's Ministry of Digital Development said that Gosuslugi and the websites of banks and marketplaces open normally from foreign IP addresses. If a site will not load, turn off your VPN first. It is a common cause of errors.
- Keep your Russian number
Login codes for Gosuslugi and banks arrive by SMS. Restoring access from Armenia without it is hard. - Check your bank apps
Some Russian banks are not in the App Store. Install the app before you move or use the web version. - Get a local number
You need an Armenian number for taxis, delivery and banks. See our guide to mobile SIM and eSIM in Armenia.
Mir cards and payments
- On 30 March 2024 the banks in Armenia's ArCa network stopped servicing Mir. Only VTB Armenia still does.
- You can withdraw drams from VTB Armenia ATMs. As of early 2026 the reported fee was about 1%.
- Few shops accept Mir, mostly VTB terminals in hotels, restaurants and some stores.
- Russian-issued Visa and Mastercard cards do not work in Armenia.
- The reliable option is to open a personal account with an Armenian bank and get a local card.
Common mistakes
- Treating Mir as your main card. You cannot use it for state fees, utilities or most local online services.
- Cancelling your Russian SIM right after the move and then losing access to Gosuslugi and your bank.
- Opening Russian sites with a VPN switched on and assuming they are blocked.
- Bringing large amounts of cash in roubles. It is easier to plan money transfers to Armenia in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Does Yandex Go work in Armenia?
Yes. Yandex Go runs in Yerevan, Gyumri and other cities, shows the fare before booking and takes cash or card. The main local rival is GG, so it is worth keeping both apps.
Can I order from Wildberries and Ozon in Armenia?
Yes. Both operate in Armenia: you order in the usual app and collect from a pickup point. Yerevan has plenty of points, and larger towns have some.
Are Telegram and VK blocked in Armenia?
No, Telegram, VK and Odnoklassniki open without a VPN. However, Russia has been throttling Telegram inside Russia since February 2026, so agree on a backup channel such as WhatsApp with family there.
Can I use a Mir card or Russian Visa in Armenia?
Russian-issued Visa and Mastercard do not work. Since 30 March 2024 only VTB Armenia services Mir cards, and few shops accept them, so open an account with an Armenian bank for a local card.
Moving your business too?
We register sole proprietors and LLCs, help with an Armenian bank account and handle taxes and reporting. We speak English and Russian.
Sources: Yandex Go — go.yandex/en_am; Kommersant — Ministry of Digital Development on Russian services abroad; ARKA — Ozon on deliveries from Armenia and Wildberries restoring sales; CivilNet — Armenian banks and Mir cards; Mail.ru Finance — Mir cards in Armenia in 2026; Armenpress — Glovo in Armenia.