From Reuters via Investing.com (also on blogroll at right), March 6:
Russian banks may issue cards with China's UnionPay as Visa, Mastercard cut links
Credit cards issued by Russian banks using the Visa and Mastercard payment systems will stop functioning overseas after March 9, Russia's central bank said on Sunday, adding that some local lenders would look to use China's UnionPay system instead.
Russian-issued Mastercard and Visa cards would be accepted within Russia until their expiry, the bank said,
The overseas ban also applies to cards issued by local subsidiaries of foreign banks, the bank said....
....MORE
HT: Sunderland's own Sunderland Global Media
BREAKING: Russia's state owned Sberbank is to replace VISA and MasterCard with a new "MIR" card system in partnership with China's Unionpay.
— Sunderland Global Media (@Sunderland_GM) March 6, 2022
