Below is a compilation of the most frequently asked questions regarding this feature:

Will there be a beta phase before the Russian version launch? How long will it run for?
We anticipate offering a beta to allow current Russian players to test the game before release, but the timing has not been determined as of yet.

When will the Russian realms be opened to the public?
We have not announced a release date at this time, as our main priority is to ensure all the necessary steps are taken for the Russian version to meet the standards set by our other full localizations. When a release date has been finalised, we will announce it on the official World of Warcraft website.

What is the difference between a Russian-only account and a European account?
With a Russian-only account you will be able to create characters and play on Russian realms only.
With a European account you will be able to create characters and play on European realms and Russian realms.

What happens if I keep my current European account?
If you retain or create a European account, you will be able to play on both European (English, French, German and Spanish) and Russian realms. However, while playing on European realms, you will only be able to receive support in the language of that realm. You will not be able to take advantage of the Russian realms’ dedicated support and Cyrillic text.

If you have a European account and create a character on a Russian realm, then you will benefit from dedicated Russian support and Cyrillic text for that character.

Do I need to create a Russian account to play the Russian version?
No, you can play the Russian game version with a European account on a Russian realm.

It will be possible to create a dedicated Russian-only account, which will allow you to play on any of the Russian realms. With this account you will be able to play World of Warcraft fully localized in Russian using Cyrillic text and receive in-game and out-of-game support in Russian.

Will the Russian-only account subscription fee be the same as the other European versions?
No, the subscription fee for the Russian-only account will be specific to the Russian market in Roubles. Precise details will be provided at a later time.

Will languages other than Russian be supported on Russian realms?
No. Support will only be available in Russian on the Russian realms, encompassing both the 24/7 in-game support as well as offline technical and customer support. The official World of Warcraft website for the Russian version will also feature full Russian-language forums and community support.

Will a Russian language pack be available?
Yes.

Current players with a European version of World of Warcraft will be able to download a Russian language pack.

Can I transfer my current characters to the Russian realms?
Yes. We intend to offer a free character transfer for Russian players on current European realms to the new Russian realms for a limited time period. More details will follow closer to the release.

Can I transfer to the Russian realms at a later date if I miss the current migration?
We only intend to run the free character transfer for a limited time. We encourage current Russian players who are considering moving to the Russian realms to take advantage of the free character transfer period to do so.

If I transfer my characters to a Russian realm, can a friend who is new to World of Warcraft join me?
Yes, provided you both play on the same new Russian realm.

Can I keep my current character name if I transfer to a Russian realm?
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to keep your current character name. In order to offer a fully localized experience, you will need to re-enter your character’s name using the Cyrillic alphabet once you have transferred to a Russian realm. However, if your character's name is available on the server, you are welcome to enter it again. Names will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Can I use Cyrillic letters in my character or guild name on non-Russian realms?
No. The use of Cyrillic letters in the names of characters or guilds will only be supported on the Russian realms.

Will the other account services such as Paid Character Transfer or Character Name Change be available for Russian-only accounts? If so, will the fees be the same?
We intend for all World of Warcraft account services to be available on Russian-only accounts, but pricing and timing of these services has yet to be determined.

What happens to my guild if I decide to transfer?
As with the standard Paid Character Transfer system, we are unfortunately unable to transfer your guild affiliation and tabard design. You will need to reform the guild after transferring to the destination realm.

I’m currently running a big raiding guild and I’m considering transferring to the Russian realms. Will you help me transfer my guild and guild bank?
We regret that we are unable to offer support for full guild transfer during the migration period. We recommend that you disband your guild, transfer characters and items on an individual basis and then arrange to reform the guild on the destination realm.

Can I join the Arena Tournaments with a Russian-only account?
At this stage we are still investigating various options for Russian-only account players to participate in the Arena Tournament.

Will the Russian realms have their own Battlegroup?
Yes. All Russian realms will belong to the same dedicated Russian Battlegroup, which will not be shared with other European realms.

Will there be Russian role-playing realms available on launch day?
At this stage we do not plan to have role-playing realms available on launch day, but we are considering adding RP realms post-launch.