Free Call to Russia from US — $0.38/min (2026)
Call Russia for $0.38/min with BubblyPhone. WhatsApp + Telegram both dominant, VK Calls also popular. Country code +7 (shared with Kazakhstan). Moscow 495/499, St Petersburg 812. 11 time zones!
Calling Russia costs $0.24/min with BubblyPhone — $14.40 for a full hour. Both WhatsApp and Telegram are widely used in Russia, alongside the domestic VK Calls (part of VKontakte, Russia's largest social network). The country code is +7 (shared with Kazakhstan). Russia spans 11 time zones — from Kaliningrad (UTC+2) to Kamchatka (UTC+12).
Whether you're calling family in Moscow, friends in St. Petersburg, or relatives in Siberia, here's every option for calling Russia cheaply or for free.
Sanctions Note (2026)
Western sanctions on Russia have affected some VoIP services and payment processors. Most messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram) continue to work. Some US-based calling services may have restricted or suspended Russian routes. BubblyPhone currently supports calls to Russian phone numbers at $0.24/min.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. No charges, no limits.
1. Telegram — Hugely Popular in Russia
Telegram is massive in Russia — it was created by Russian-born Pavel Durov and has deep roots in Russian-speaking communities. Despite a government ban attempt in 2018-2020, Telegram is now the most popular messenger in Russia with 80M+ users. Free voice and video calls work well.
Tip: Telegram was briefly banned by Russian authorities (2018-2020) but the ban was lifted and it's now fully legal and extremely popular.
2. WhatsApp — Also Widely Used
WhatsApp is the second most popular messenger in Russia. Many Russians use both Telegram and WhatsApp — Telegram for groups and channels, WhatsApp for family and older contacts. Free voice and video calls work without issues.
3. VK Calls — Russia's Own Platform
VKontakte (VK) is Russia's largest social network — think "Russian Facebook." VK has built-in voice and video calling. If your contact uses VK (most Russians do), you can call them for free through the VK app. You'll need to create a VK account.
Note: VK is owned by Russian conglomerate VK Group. Some US users may have privacy concerns.
4. FaceTime — For iPhone Users
iPhone market share in Russia is around 25-30%, primarily in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Apple paused sales in Russia in 2022, but existing iPhones with FaceTime continue to work. Samsung and Xiaomi dominate the broader market.
Calling Russian Phone Numbers
Russia is moderately expensive to call due to sanctions-related routing complexity:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BubblyPhone | $0.24/min | $0.24/min | Browser, iOS, Android |
| Google Voice | $0.18/min | $0.06/min | May have connectivity issues |
| Rebtel | $0.08/min | $0.04/min | Unlimited plans ~$10/mo |
| AT&T / Verizon | $3.00-5.00/min | $3.00-5.00/min | Extremely expensive |
Our honest take: BubblyPhone at $0.24/min is not the cheapest for Russia — Google Voice ($0.07/min) and Rebtel ($0.08/min) are cheaper for phone numbers. But Telegram and WhatsApp are free and work excellently in Russia. Use those first.
How to Dial Russia from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 7 + area code + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+7 + area code + number
# Example — calling a Moscow landline:
+7 495 123 4567
# Example — calling a Russian mobile:
+7 9XX 123 4567
# Example — calling St. Petersburg:
+7 812 123 4567
Important: Russia shares country code +7 with Kazakhstan. Russian numbers are 10 digits after +7. Moscow uses area codes 495/499, St. Petersburg uses 812. Mobile numbers start with 9XX. Drop the 8 that Russians dial domestically — use +7 directly.
Key Area Codes
- Moscow: 495, 499
- St. Petersburg: 812
- Mobiles: 9XX (10 digits total)
- Novosibirsk: 383
- Yekaterinburg: 343
Carriers & Mobile
- MTS: Largest carrier (~80M subs)
- MegaFon: Second largest
- Beeline: Third (owned by VEON)
- Tele2 Russia: Fourth carrier
- Coverage: Good in cities, spotty in Siberia
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family in Russia
Telegram or WhatsApp — both free, both widely used. Telegram is preferred by most Russians. Video calls work well in cities.
Calling a Russian business
Google Voice ($0.07/min) or Rebtel ($0.08/min) for the best rates to phone numbers. BubblyPhone works but at $0.24/min it's pricier for Russia specifically.
Calling a Russian mobile number
Ask them to install Telegram first — it's free and most Russians already have it. If you must call their phone number, Google Voice ($0.07/min) is cheapest.
Calling across Russian time zones
Check which city — Russia spans 11 time zones. Moscow is UTC+3, Vladivostok is UTC+10, Kamchatka is UTC+12. Confirm the recipient's local time before calling.
Tips for Calling Russia
- 11 time zones! — Moscow is 8 hours ahead of EST (MSK, UTC+3), but Vladivostok is 15 hours ahead. Always confirm which city you're calling. Best window for Moscow: 9-11 AM EST (5-7 PM MSK)
- +7 is shared with Kazakhstan — Russian numbers are 10 digits after +7. Kazakhstan numbers also use +7 but are transitioning to +997. Mobile numbers starting with 9 are always Russian
- Sanctions may affect services — some US-based VoIP providers have suspended Russian routes. Telegram and WhatsApp continue to work reliably from both sides
- Domestic prefix 8 — Russians dial 8 before long-distance calls domestically. When calling from the US, skip the 8 and dial +7 directly followed by the area code
- VK is universal — if your contact is Russian, they almost certainly have a VK (VKontakte) account. VK Calls is a free alternative to WhatsApp/Telegram calls
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call Russia for free from the US?
What is the cheapest way to call a Russian phone number?
What is the country code for Russia?
Does WhatsApp work in Russia?
What's the best time to call Moscow from the US?
Call Russia for $0.24/min
Open BubblyPhone in your browser and dial +7. A 60-minute call costs $14.40.
Try Free — Call Russia Now