Localbitcoin/local crypto/localmonero and similar (e.g. asking at a crypto meetup forum) are an option if bank transfers don't work. Bitcoin ATMs if you really are in a hurry and willing to take a potentially high exchange rate hit.

Otherwise there's exchanges which still operate within Russia for the time being and some business (tho too rare to be useful but In a big city, if you don't have funds others than what was sent to you, you might be able to buy more than otherwise) accept it though I wouldn't rely on that too much unless you know a specific one.

Until a quick decree makes bitcoin exchanges illegal.

Ok, but at this point I could have just gotten Ruble in the first place no?

If you can then sure it's not for you.

However, not everyone can receive or send rubles as easily to/from the west especially after the SWIFT and related bans. Either way, it doesn't hurt to have the extra option.

> Bitcoin ATMs

Where might I find one of these (near mythical) beasts?

Search near your location at:

https://coinatmradar.com/

https://www.bitcoin.com/bitcoin-atm/

I've been seeing them occasionally in big cities since 2014-15 though again it's never worth it at least for me - the exchange rate is typically pretty bad and I'd rather wait but go through a low fee/feeless option.

Nearest is in Kiel, just short of 600 km away. If I drive to it it will take about eleven hours and involve driving in four countries to drive almost 1000 km.

Find another person who accepts Bitcoin and do business with them. Neither of you has to exchange to rubles to participate in the economy.

At some point the flow does have to exit to something that a corporation or ministry controls; so an exchange business will necessarily appear, even if it's extremely high risk; someone will be in a position to pull strings. It's not a stretch when you look at how countries with weak local currencies have been operating for decades, just usually with USD as the preferred trade currency instead.