Meduza publishes guide on preparing phones before crossing the Russian border
Meduza, working with a lawyer and a cybersecurity expert, has released a detailed guide for Russians living abroad who plan to visit Russia temporarily, as border searches of phones and psychological pressure are becoming more common. The guide explains ways to reduce risk while warning that in some cases the outcome is decided before travelers even reach passport control.
An increasing number of Russians living overseas who travel back to the country temporarily report facing psychological pressure and phone searches at the Russian border. Such inspections can lead to consequences far beyond travel delays, including criminal charges and detention. Because online advice on the topic is often fragmented or contradictory, Meduza worked with a lawyer and a cybersecurity specialist to compile a comprehensive guide.
Who should avoid traveling
Experts advise against travel for anyone already facing a criminal case or an in-absentia pretrial restriction, anyone listed by Russia's Federal Financial Monitoring Service as a "terrorist or extremist," anyone employed by an organization labeled "undesirable" or "extremist," and anyone who has publicly criticized the war or Russian authorities. For these groups, the only advice is not to go — though the guide stresses that such decisions should be made only after consulting a lawyer.
Device preparation tips
The guide recommends bringing a separate phone that already looks used, along with a new SIM card for the trip, avoiding installation of banking apps, and not logging into existing accounts. Contact lists should be carefully checked to exclude Ukrainian numbers or contacts belonging to people persecuted in Russia. Travelers are also advised to disable Face ID and fingerprint unlock, set a long alphanumeric password, update the operating system, and keep the phone powered off during border checks.
Risk groups and border conduct
People whose passports list their birthplace as the "Ukrainian SSR" or Ukraine — including Crimean residents holding Russian passports — face elevated risk, as do those who have declared foreign citizenship, hold undeclared foreign bank accounts, or have stayed away from Russia for a long period since February 2022. Nervous or inconsistent behavior at the border can also trigger additional screening.
A lawyer who spoke with Meduza said such checks often come with intense psychological pressure, including threats of treason charges, and that this approach is now used against ordinary travelers, not just those officially labeled "foreign agents." The guide notes that while travelers formally have the right to refuse unlocking their phone, doing so in practice usually escalates the situation — making advance preparation, rather than decisions made at the checkpoint, the most important factor.
