Key Takeaways Mir cards captured 85% of Russia’s market as sanctions rendered Visa and Mastercard effectively useless. Remaining foreign cards will soon fail due to physical wear and the expiration of security certificates. Russia’s central bank announced a gradual phase-out for international cards without strict timeframes. Mastercard and Visa ‘Absent’ from Russia as Cards Reach Expiration As local options rise, the Russian card market is being increasingly driven by Mir alternatives after Mastercard and Visa, the two international credit giants, exited the country amid a sanctions push. Dmitry Dubynin, CEO of the National Payment Card System (NSPK), stressed that international …