At Mineralnye Vody Airport, customs officers stopped an attempt to take about RUB 16 million in cash to Armenia. The money was carried by a 29-year-old Russian national. Source: FCS Russia.
On the green channel during selective screening, inspectors found five bags of banknotes in hand luggage — about USD 220,000 equivalent. The passenger said the cash was for buying cars in Armenia: he chose vehicles online and planned to arrange delivery to Russia with his brother. He claimed he did not know about cash export limits to EAEU countries.
An administrative case was opened under Article 16.3 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences (breach of bans and restrictions). The seized cash was placed in evidence storage; the inquiry continues. The operation was conducted with the Border Directorate of the FSB of Russia for the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic.
Since 1 April 2026, Presidential Decree No. 193 of 25 March 2026 has limited exports of Russian cash currency to EAEU states. Amounts above the equivalent of USD 100,000 may leave through air checkpoints at international airports on the Government list only with certified bank statements confirming withdrawal from the exporter’s accounts (deposits), or other documents listed by the Government.