Russian-sanctioned banks excluded from Apple Pay

Several Russian banks including VTB – the second-largest bank in Russia – as well as Sovcombank, Promsvyazbank and Otkritie have been sanctioned.

These banks’ customers are unable to use their cards abroad, or make online payments to companies registered in countries that have imposed sanctions.

This includes card payments through Apple Pay, although Russia’s Central Bank says contactless payments will still be available when using the bank cards themselves.

Apple also updated its list of  "Apple Pay participating banks in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East" on its support website, and removed another sanctioned Russian bank Novikombank.

Other digital payment platforms like Google Pay are undergoing restricted capability in Russia, and Apple Maps has lost functionality there.

Apple said: “We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"We have taken a number of actions in response to the invasion.

“We have paused all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country.

"Apple Pay and other services have been limited.

"RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the App Store outside Russia”.