Payment service Letim, used by Russians in Turkey, to stop operating on 30 November
In short
The payment service Letim, popular with Russian tourists in Turkey, will stop operating from 30 November 2026, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) said on 20 October, citing the service's operator. The company did not give a reason. Clients can spend their balance until that date or move it to a Russian bank account.
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The payment service Letim, popular with Russian tourists in Turkey, will stop working from 30 November, Interfax reported on 20 October, citing the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), which in turn cited the service's operator. TASS reported that ATOR said the company did not give reasons for ending the service. RBC said the closure was set out in a message to users, and Kommersant said the information appeared on the service's main page. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
According to ATOR, clients can spend the balance on their account until 30 November 2026 or transfer it to their account in a Russian bank. Withdrawal of funds will remain available after the app closes, through support. The company said it will provide a transparent procedure for returning funds and inform users of all conditions in good time. Kommersant wrote that cash cannot be withdrawn and money cannot be transferred to bank accounts in Turkey during the wind-down, while other functions stay available until the date. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
ATOR recalled that the service was launched after Mir cards stopped being served in Turkey and became a replacement for some Russians. Tourists could open electronic wallets in Turkish lira, top them up in roubles and link a card of a Turkish payment system to the wallet. ATOR said the service peaked in 2025. In summer 2026, it said, Letim announced a temporary halt to issuing plastic cards and blocked cash withdrawals, but the wallet and cards still work. [ 2 ]
ATOR said the closure will not affect tourist flow to Turkey. It said Russians have gained other cashless options since the launch, including the SBP, and that most tourists still pay in cash, exchanging dollars and euros for lira. Vedomosti added that in April ATOR reported that Russian tourists in Turkey could pay for purchases in roubles via the SBP, with points shown on an interactive map of the company Turinvoice. Kommersant reported that in spring more than 1,000 points accepting SBP payments were available in Istanbul, Antalya and the Aegean coast. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The closure affects Russians who used Letim to pay in Turkey. ATOR said it expects no effect on tourist flow to Turkey because other cashless options, including the SBP fast payment system, remain available.
Key facts
- Letim will stop operating from 30 November, ATOR reported on 20 October, citing the service's operator. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The company did not say why it is ending the service. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Clients can spend their balance until 30 November 2026 or transfer it to an account in a Russian bank. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Withdrawal of funds will remain possible through support after the app closes. [ 2 , 3 ]
- In summer 2026 Letim temporarily suspended issuing plastic cards and blocked cash withdrawals, ATOR said; the wallet and cards still work. [ 2 ]
- ATOR said the closure will not affect tourist flow to Turkey and that other cashless payment options exist, including the SBP. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Letim, a payment service used by Russian tourists in Turkey, will stop working from 30 November 2026. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The company has not disclosed the reasons for the closure. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Until 30 November clients can spend the remaining balance or move it to a Russian bank account; funds can still be withdrawn after the closure. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Why Letim is ending its service. ATOR and the outlets citing it say the company did not state the reasons.
- Exact terms of refunds after the app closes. The company said it will provide a transparent refund procedure and inform users of all conditions in good time, without giving details.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS published ATOR's warning that Letim will stop working in Turkey. [ 1 ]
- Interfax reported the closure date of 30 November, citing ATOR. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reported ATOR's statement on the closure. [ 3 ]
- RBC reported that the service had announced its closure in a message to users. [ 4 ]
- vc.ru reported the announcement. [ 5 ]
- Kommersant reported that the information appeared on the service's main page. [ 6 ]