St. Petersburg Bans Migrant Couriers: A Step Toward Order or Just Optics?

Since November 3, 2025, something very curious has been happening in St. Petersburg.
Thousands of migrant couriers found themselves suddenly locked out of delivery platforms like Yandex.Eats and Samokat.

No warning. No explanation. Just a polite message:

"Partnership terminated. Please return the thermal bag."

No more shifts. No more orders. No more gig.

And no — this isn't a tech glitch. This is Governor Alexander Beglov's new rule in action.

The Ban Was Planned

Back in August, Beglov signed an official decree:
Foreign nationals working under a patent system may no longer be employed in food delivery.

Businesses were given a three-month grace period.
On November 3, the hammer dropped.

Official Narrative: Quality and Fairness

According to city officials, the move aims to:

• Improve service quality
• Reduce shadow employment
• Open jobs for Russian citizens and students

Sounds noble, doesn't it?

But let's talk real life.

Hundreds — maybe thousands — of former couriers were thrown out of work overnight.
Delivery times are up.
Customer complaints are growing.
And sushi still takes forever to arrive.

Who Will Take Their Place?

So who's supposed to dash through the snow for 200 rubles an hour now?
A freshman straight from a philosophy lecture?
A retiree with a cane and a thermos?

The government wants to look tough.
But are they fixing the problem,
or just performing for the cameras?

But What If It Spreads?

Here's the interesting part:
If this works in St. Petersburg, it might become national policy.

A small change in the delivery market could signal a big shift in national identity —
a return to sovereignty not just in borders, but in economics, labor, and values.

For years, Russian cities have been flooded with low-paid foreign labor.
Yes, they worked.
But at what cost?

– Lower wages for locals
– Tax evasion
– Rising crime
– Social disintegration

Now it looks like the tide is turning.

A New Chapter?

What happened in Petersburg is not just about who brings your food.
It's about who owns the streets.

The guests have been shown the door.
And Russians are stepping in — maybe slowly, maybe clumsily,
but finally and rightfully.

Yes, your pizza might be late this winter.
But at least it's being delivered on your terms, on your soil, by your people.