Wildberries Begins Test Launch of Ride-Hailing Service in Armenia

Sep. 22, 2026 Wildberries Russian online retailer Wildberries & Russ (RWB) launched early access to its new ride-hailing service in the Armenian capital of Yerevan as it seeks to challenge the regional dominance of tech giant Yandex. “Armenia is already the fourth country where you can order a ride through WB Taxi,” Anatoly Smorgonsky, who heads RWB’s transportation technology development, said in a statement published Tuesday. In its initial rollout phase, testing invitations will be restricted to Wildberries employees and business partners in Yerevan. Regular users can join a waiting list, with access expanding gradually over the coming weeks. Since mid-2025, WB Taxi has launched in Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. While the WB Taxi app is available for download in Russia, RWB’s development team is reportedly using the domestic release to support and improve the platform rather than for commercial ride-hailing. Earlier this year, RWB acquired three companies that provide ride-hailing and delivery services as it tries to muscle its way into Russia’s highly concentrated market. Russian media reported last year that the company was looking to break into the transportation sector in a direct challenge to tech giant Yandex, whose Yandex Go holds a virtual monopoly in Moscow’s ride-hailing market, as well as a dominant share in other major cities. RWB was formed after e-commerce giant Wildberries merged with advertising firm Russ Group in 2025. Read more about: Wildberries , Armenia Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Alleged Coup Attempt in Armenia an ‘Internal Affair,’ Kremlin Says Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said security forces foiled a coup plot involving what he called a “criminal-oligarchic clergy.” 2 Min read opinion Jason Corcoran Armenia Is Breaking Up With Russia – And Putin Can’t Stop It Armenia has learned the hard way that Moscow doesn't keep its promises. It is done waiting for a protector that never delivers. 5 Min read Russian Soldier Found Dead in Armenia – Reports The death appears to be the first instance of a Russian soldier dying in Armenia since Yerevan started publicly distancing itself from Moscow in 2023. 1 Min read Armenia Revolts: Forget Social Protest, This Time It’s Serious That thousands of Yerevan residents should take to the streets, as they have done every day this past week, is no real surprise. But this summer’s protest...