New Airline Rules for Power Banks in Russia: What Travelers Need to Know

Flying out of Russia? You’ll want to check the battery in your bag. Starting this month, Russia’s Ministry of Transport rolled out updated rules for carrying power banks on planes, aligning with international standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Five Russian airlines have already adopted the changes, which apply to all domestic carriers.

First, the big no-no: You cannot charge your power bank during the flight. Also, don’t even think about stashing it in your checked luggage. All external batteries must go in your carry-on, where they need to be easy to reach. “The power bank must be in an accessible place under your control,” the rules state.

What about capacity? That’s where it gets specific. Batteries rated up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are fine to bring without permission. If yours is between 100 and 160 Wh, you need to get the airline’s approval ahead of time. Anything above 160 Wh is banned outright.

For context, a typical smartphone power bank runs around 20 to 50 Wh, so most travelers won’t hit the limit. But if you carry a high-capacity battery for a laptop or camera gear, double-check the label. The bottom line: Keep it in your hand luggage, keep it off the charger, and if it’s beefy, call your airline first.