The SIM article on the site needs to be updated. and corrected. Given how impossible getting a Russisn SIM card is (and thus, a Russian phone number), an eSIM is a must to start with. I bought the recommended HolaFly eSIM. But it needs to be noted that you cannot receive text messages with the eSIM. This means you cannot sign up for Yandex Taxi, so you are unable to order a taxi for yourself, or order food through a food app. This leaves you rather helpless. At VKO SIMs were being offered by one lady at kiosk (as of March 1). no idea what catch is there. You can try to hail a cab the old fashioned way, of course, and/ or use public transit. A friend buying you a SIM is the easiest way. People need to be aware of this because it makes travel difficult and nearly impossible to non tourist destinations.
How is the Holafly SIM working? What network does it roam on?
I have a Yandex account from 2019 that is tied to my US phone number. Not sure if it still works.
My plan was to use GoogleFi for the first day and then follow this process on the second day to buy a Russian SIM from MTS.
@GCB They still sell sims at every kiosk, there is no catch. Buying a SIM is easy, registering to activate it isnt.
The “catch” - if you do not need a Russian phone number [going through the process] you can get a data only plan without the hassle. Which it sounds like the OP got.