Russian numbers are restricted - why?

mindwhiper • 1 April 2025 at 8:34 PM

Hi.

The confirmation code to my phone number has not been received for several months. I sent the ticket and they simply replied that Russian numbers are prohibited, the codes will not be received.

Can anyone explain what causes such discrimination? Why? It turns out that I am completely cut off from the last legal access to the CC. And cut off from Monthly Challenge. Is it really right?

snowwall • 13 April 2025 at 2:10 AM

@mindwhiper
Russia is currently restricted by most countries from doing... most inter-country things. I heard about Paypal and postage (was a huge problem in embroidery community when all Russian pattern-makers were blocked from Etsy and Ravelry, I believe - they made, like, 95% of cool patterns). I guess the phone thing is part of the same state of affairs.

The reason is, this is part of sanctions due to what's up on western border of the country, the whole "invasion of Ukraine" situation that you might've heard of (or not? knowing the size of the country and after the story of a Hiroo Onoda spending 20-odd years in a mere island's forest not knowing WWII was over, I wouldn't be too surprised, really XD). Edit: Read your profile. So, you do now. Yep, unfair to apply things to all people in an area. Force majeure and bad luck it is. Alas, seems to be the way things are, just different problems in different areas ☹️

It is possible to trade for CC. Though most prices are, like, x10 or more of what I remember from the "getting my Leaf of Vaka" quest, there are some kind people who go for a x2 inflation at most. November "Find the Gobblers" event is handy, if you have the time and inclination. And there are sometimes "sorry for the server being down" consolation CC gifts from the admins.

There are many people on here without phones/with phones they don't want to use online who are in the same boat as you, who can only save up for one or two CC creatures a year if-they-are-lucky-and-try-hard and who had never seen the inside of a Monthly Challenge. "Join the club", as the saying goes.

Or try to get an out-of-country/internet-based phone number, I've heard there's the kind without a physical SIM card to obtain. Knowing myself, I didn't dare - in case I lose it. TBH, I hate all sorts of multi-factor "proofs" precisely because they ask me to not lose multiple things!

mindwhiper • 13 April 2025 at 11:33 AM

@snowwall "The reason is, this is part of sanctions due to what's up on western border of the country, the whole "invasion of Ukraine" situation that you might've heard of (or not? knowing the size of the country and after the story of a Hiroo Onoda spending 20-odd years in a mere island's forest not knowing WWII was over, I wouldn't be too surprised, really XD). Edit: Read your profile. So, you do now. "

Dude, I'm living here in very, VERY repressive country. Don't know how's history learning in your country, but I'm aware what we at war. The bad one. The terrible one. No jokes pls, you're not im my shoes. Anyway, thank you for tips. Last year was possible to use RU numbers, and 'nowing how USA guys loves tell us how to do revolution in the right way I simply thought what it was discrimination.