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NSPK Warns of Potential Online Payment Disruptions for Visa and Mastercard Holders Due to Russian Certificate Transition

The National System of Payment Cards (NSPK) has issued a warning that holders of Russian-issued Visa and Mastercard cards may encounter difficulties when making online purchases. The issues stem from NSPK's ongoing transition to Russian security certificates required for authenticating internet resources and establishing secure connections. NSPK recommends that users proactively replace their existing cards with Mir-branded alternatives to avoid payment failures at critical moments. The move aligns with broader efforts toward import substitution and ensuring stable access to payment services amid international sanctions imposed on Russia since 2022. Mir cards will remain fully functional for both in-store and online transactions without any changes. Foreign browsers may display security warnings when encountering the new Russian certificates, though NSPK stresses that these alerts do not indicate compromised resources or data leaks. The transition is described as standard practice among Russian organizations and will not affect payment security, data protection, or overall service operations.

Sberbank to Terminate Currency and Multicurrency Visa Cards from September 2026 Despite Prior Extensions to 2030

Sberbank announced it will cease servicing currency and multicurrency Visa cards starting September 1, 2026, including those whose validity was previously extended until 2030. The bank notified customers via SMS and advised them to close affected cards in advance through the Sberbank Online app or at a branch to avoid access issues with their funds. This decision aligns with ongoing sanctions against Russia, import substitution policies, and the gradual removal of Visa and Mastercard from the Russian market. Central Bank officials, including Elvira Nabiullina and Alla Bakina, have confirmed that international payment systems must exit Russia, with the share of Visa and Mastercard already reduced to less than 17 percent. The National System of Payment Cards continues to incur costs supporting legacy cards while promoting domestic alternatives such as Mir. Customers are encouraged to transfer remaining balances to other accounts to maintain uninterrupted access to their money.