Apple Pay support has been withdrawn from five banks in Russia as Australia, the US, the UK, the European Union and Japan have imposed economic sanctions on Russia amid the violent invasion of Ukraine, with the sanctions seeing foreign transactions to Russian banks suspended indefinitely.
Business Insider reports that five major Russian banks have had their international operations restricted, with digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay now suspended for customers banking with VTB Group, Sovcombank, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank, and Otkritie.
As detailed by Business Insider, which cites the Central Bank of Russia, customers in Russia banking with the sanctioned banks will not be able to use their bank cards internationally or make payments online to any company registered in countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia.
Apple CEO Tim Cook condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine in a tweet on Thursday, saying the iPhone maker would be supporting local humanitarian efforts.
I am deeply concerned with the situation in Ukraine. We’re doing all we can for our teams there and will be supporting local humanitarian efforts. I am thinking of the people who are right now in harm’s way and joining all those calling for peace.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 25, 2022
