Is eating with your left hand polite in Russia?

Avoid if possible. In Russia, eating with the left hand is not inherently rude, but it is considered awkward or unrefined in formal dining settings because the right hand is traditionally used for eating and the left for holding bread or a napkin. This stems from European table manners adopted by Russian aristocracy, where the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right, but using the left hand alone for direct eating (e.g., picking up food) may draw negative attention. In casual contexts, it is generally overlooked, but in restaurants, especially upscale ones, it is best to use your right hand for eating.

When dining in a Russian restaurant, hold your fork in your left hand and knife in your right, and avoid using your left hand alone to bring food to your mouth.

In Muslim-majority regions of Russia (e.g., Tatarstan, Chechnya), eating with the left hand is considered unclean and rude due to Islamic customs, so the caution is stronger there.