Mastercard, Visa Stop Services in Russia

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, American credit card companies Mastercard and Visa announced late Saturday that their services in the nation will be suspended.

Mastercard cards issued by Russian banks will cease to function, while Mastercard cards issued elsewhere will not work at Russian ATMs. All transactions made outside of Russia with Visa cards issued in Russia have been halted, and Visa cards issued by banks outside of Russia will no longer work within the nation.

"We don't take this decision lightly," Mastercard said in a statement, noting that the company has been operating in Russia for 25 years and employs more than 200 people there. "We will use their passion and creativity to attempt to restore operations when it is acceptable and legal under the law," it stated.

"This war, and the continued danger to peace and stability, demand that we respond in accordance with our beliefs," said Al Kelly, chairman and CEO of Visa Inc.

Notably, Russian forces hit Starokostiantyniv military airbase in Ukraine, international media agencies reported on Sunday.

“The strike was conducted with long-range high-precision,” the Russian Ministry of Defense ministry said today.

Igor Konashenkov, the spokesperson of the Russian Defense Ministry revealed: “The Russia armed forces continue to strike the military infrastructure of Ukraine.”

“On the morning of March 6, strikes were carried out by high-precision long-range weapons. The Ukrainian air force base near Starokostiantyniv was disabled,” he added.

Finally, Konashenkov concluded that the Ukrainian S-300 missile system was also destroyed by Russian strikes, and  10 Ukrainian planes and helicopters in only 24 hours.

“It is worthy to mention that 17 civilians were killed and 13 others were wounded, in the wake of Russian airstrikes in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region,” the Ukrainian emergency services said in an online post.

“About 1.3 million people have fled Ukraine so far, since the start of the Russian military operation,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Saturday.