UnionPay cards from Russia's Gazprombank have ceased to operate in nine countries worldwide.

Foreign banks have stopped servicing cards from the Chinese payment system UnionPay that were issued by Russia's Gazprombank.

The cards are no longer functional in Hungary, Vietnam, Germany, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Turkey, the UAE, and Thailand.

This is reported by written sources in Russia.

Gazprombank cards are also not operational in China.

When attempting to use the card, ATMs display a message indicating a technical error. The message states that the card is inactive or blocked. Users are advised to contact their bank's support service.

Additionally, the option to apply for a UnionPay card has disappeared from the bank's website.

Russian Gazprombank, which is under U.S. sanctions, warned that starting November 21, there may be "difficulties" when using UnionPay cards issued by them abroad.

In light of this, cardholders located overseas were advised to use cash.

Background. On November 21, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions against more than 50 Russian banks, over 40 securities registrars, and 15 financial officials.

Included in the sanctions list are Gazprombank, BCS Bank, "Kremlin Bank," "Brotherly People's Bank," "DOM.RF," and banks such as "Centrokredit," "Sinara," "Agroros," and "Iturup."