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The exchange process is fraught with complications, as only pristine bills are accepted, accompanied by a hefty commission for each transaction. Many users report that only certain denominations, like $100 bills, are accepted, while older bills printed before the mid-2000s are often outright rejected due to changing designs and security features. The heightened scrutiny surrounding currency exchange reflects not just paranoia, but also a strategic decision by Russian banks to preserve what's left of foreign currency reserves amidst sanctions aimed at crippling the economy.