iPhones.ru reports that Apple device users in Russia can no longer make purchases in the App Store and in iTunes. This leaves users there unable to pay for Apple services, apps, and media.
The Russian site reports that users are now prevented from adding funds to their App Store or iTunes Store accounts using regional bank cards issued by Russian banks including Alfa-Bank, Sber, and Tinkoff.
iPhones.ru also reports that users are having problems with buying Apple gift cards to top off their Apple ID account balance as well.
At this point, we don’t know if the changes are due to actions by Apple, the Russian government, or by banks in the country.
Apple last week decided to halt all sales from its Russian online store, while also banning Apple Search Ads in the Russian App Store. Russian banks are also unable to use Apple Pay. Google has also turned off billing in its Russian Google Play Store.
Apple and Google are just a few of the companies around the globe that are implementing sanctions against Russia, following the country’s February invasion of Ukraine.
(Via MacRumors)