During the 2020–21 season, Russian skaters competed in domestic qualifying events for national championships at various age levels.
[1][2] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were limited international competitive opportunities and all skaters were required to qualify through the Russian Cup series.
The Figure Skating Federation of Russia initially did not award exemptions for injury, illness, or skaters who trained abroad.
[4] In December 2020, the Russian Federation drew criticism for its decision to host several competitions with an audience present, despite the worsening COVID-19 pandemic in Russia and the increasing number of its national team members who tested positive for COVID-19.
[31] Some skaters who qualified to the 2021 Russian Junior Championships based on Russian Cup series' junior-level results were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to health issues (injury or sickness) – namely single skaters Matvei Vetlugin[32] and Mariia Zakharova[33] as well as ice dancers Sofya Tyutyunina / Alexander Shustitskiy.
[36][37] The 2021 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival, originally scheduled for 6–13 February 2021 in Vuokatti, Finland, was postponed to 11–18 December 2021 and thus will be held during the next season.