> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ruapi.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to pay for the DeepSeek API from Russia

> Why you can't top up your DeepSeek API balance with a Russian card and how to pay without a card from a foreign bank: USDT bought with rubles via SBP, a key right after sign-up, the deepseek-flash model, version 1017.

**Short answer:** the DeepSeek website and chat open from Russia, but the API is prepaid, and topping up a balance on platform.deepseek.com from Russia is almost impossible: DeepSeek accepts PayPal, bank cards, Alipay and WeChat Pay; PayPal doesn't work in Russia, and cards from Russian banks are usually declined. The simplest way is to top up a RuAPI balance in USDT (you can buy it with rubles via SBP, the Faster Payments System) and call the same DeepSeek models. RuAPI's primary channel for DeepSeek models is the official DeepSeek API.

## Payment options

| Option | Works from Russia? | What gets in the way |
| - | - | - |
| A Russian bank card on platform.deepseek.com | Usually not | The payment is declined |
| PayPal | No | PayPal hasn't worked in Russia since 2022 |
| Alipay / WeChat Pay | Usually not | Linking a Russian bank card usually doesn't work |
| A foreign or virtual card, an intermediary | Yes | You have to get a card or pay an intermediary's commission; there is a risk |
| **RuAPI: USDT** | **Yes** | You need to buy USDT — the first time takes 15–30 minutes |

> [!NOTE]
>
> DeepSeek's payment methods are taken from the [DeepSeek FAQ](https://static.deepseek.com/faq/index.html?lang=en#/category/4) (checked 21 October 2026). PayPal, Visa and Mastercard suspended operations in Russia in March 2022.

## How to pay for the DeepSeek API through RuAPI

**1. Sign up**

Sign up at [www.ruapi.ai](https://www.ruapi.ai/?lng=en\&utm_source=docs\&utm_campaign=en-pay-deepseek-api-russia) — with email, Google or Yandex. We usually give new users \$0.05 right away to try deepseek-flash before topping up.

**2. Buy USDT if you don't have any yet**

USDT is bought with rubles via SBP — for example, on the P2P market in [t.me/CryptoBot](https://t.me/CryptoBot). Step by step: [How to buy USDT with rubles](/en/buy-usdt.md).

**3. Top up your balance**

In the Console, open **Wallet** and choose USDT and a network — BEP20, TRC20 or Polygon. The minimum is 5 USDT. Funds are credited automatically as soon as the network confirms the transfer.

**4. Create a key**

Console → **API Keys** → **Create API key** — you'll get an `sk-...` string.

**5. Connect**

A regular OpenAI SDK works: `base_url` is `https://www.ruapi.ai/v1`, the model is `deepseek-flash`.

```python theme={null}
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="sk-your-RuAPI-key",
    base_url="https://www.ruapi.ai/v1",
)

resp = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="deepseek-flash",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello! Reply in one sentence."}],
)
print(resp.choices[0].message.content)
```

## How much it costs

| Model | Input, per 1M tokens | Cached, per 1M tokens | Output, per 1M tokens |
| - | - | - | - |
| `deepseek-flash` (version 1017) | \$0.168 | \$0.012 | \$1.44 |
| `deepseek-v4-pro` | \$1.584 | \$0.06 | \$4.752 |

Prices as on the [pricing page](https://www.ruapi.ai/pricing?lng=en\&utm_source=docs\&utm_campaign=en-pay-deepseek-api-russia) as of 22 October 2026; the price in your account may be lower. There's no subscription fee: you pay only for the tokens you use, and unused balance [doesn't expire](/en/legal/refund.md).

Which model to choose is covered in the [deepseek-flash 1017 review](/en/deepseek-flash-review.md): deepseek-flash is enough for most tasks.

## FAQ

> **Can I top up the DeepSeek API with a Russian card?**
>
> On platform.deepseek.com — usually not. With RuAPI, your Russian card still comes in handy: use it to buy USDT via SBP and top up your balance — no foreign card needed. RuAPI also accepts cards from foreign banks (Visa / Mastercard).

> **How fast are funds credited?**
>
> Automatically, as soon as the network confirms the transfer — usually within a few minutes. If the funds haven't arrived, message [support on Telegram](https://t.me/RuAPI_Support) or email [support@ruapi.ai](mailto:support@ruapi.ai) and include the transaction TXID — more in the [Top-up](/en/topup.md) section.

> **Is this the real DeepSeek?**
>
> The primary channel for DeepSeek models is the official DeepSeek API, and deepseek-flash there is the same version 1017 that DeepSeek released on 17 October. If the primary channel doesn't respond, the request automatically goes to a backup one.

> **Can I use DeepSeek in Cline or Claude Code?**
>
> Yes. In Cline and Roo Code, choose OpenAI Compatible with the address `https://www.ruapi.ai/v1` and the model `deepseek-flash`; Claude Code switches to DeepSeek via environment variables. Guides: [Cline](/en/integrations/cline.md) and [Claude Code on DeepSeek](/en/integrations/claude-code-deepseek.md).

> **Do I need a VPN?**
>
> No. The RuAPI website and API are reachable from Russia directly.

## Next steps

> **[DeepSeek API in Russia](https://www.ruapi.ai/deepseek-api?lng=en\&utm_source=docs\&utm_campaign=en-pay-deepseek-api-russia)**
>
> In brief: payment, models, comparison with direct access.

> **[How to buy USDT with rubles](/en/buy-usdt.md)**
>
> Crypto Bot, Bybit P2P or an exchanger — three ways.

> **[deepseek-flash 1017 review](/en/deepseek-flash-review.md)**
>
> What it can do and when to pick Pro.

> **[Topping up your balance](/en/topup.md)**
>
> Networks, crediting times, common mistakes.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.