Mir Payment System Overview

The Mir payment system is a Russian payment system that allows users to make transactions and pay bills using a variety of methods.

It was launched in 2014 and is widely accepted in Russia and other countries.

The system is designed to be fast and secure, with transactions taking just a few seconds to process.

Mir cards are also accepted at many international merchants, making them a convenient option for travelers.

The Mir system is used by millions of Russians every day, making it a major player in the country's financial landscape.

In some countries, the Mir payment system faces restrictions or limited use. In Cuba, for example, you can withdraw money in pesos from ATMs, but you can't pay with Mir cards in restaurants and shops.

In Kazakhstan, things are a bit more complicated. While VTB Kazakhstan fully services its own Mir cards and cards issued by other banks, Halyk Bank, the country's largest bank, stopped accepting Mir.

In Kyrgyzstan, nine banks suspended the service of Russian cards in 2022, but six banks still allow you to pay for purchases and services with Mir.

Sanctions have had a significant impact on the use of Russian Mir payment cards. In Kyrgyzstan, nine banks suspended service of Russian cards in fall 2022, fearing US financial sanctions.

Some banks in Kyrgyzstan still accept Mir cards, however, including RSK-Bank, Kapital Bank, Keremet Bank, Tolubay Bank, Kyrgyzkommertsbank, and the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank.

The use of Mir cards is also restricted in Tajikistan, where you can't pay with a Russian card but can withdraw somoni from ATMs.

In Cuba, Russian cards can be used to withdraw money in pesos, but not to pay in restaurants or shops. The Bank of Russia plans to change this by summer, when Mir cards will work in the entire POS-terminal network of Cuba.

Meanwhile, some banks in Kazakhstan still service Mir cards, including VTB Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Bereke Bank.

In Venezuela, the Mir payment system is being tested on the resort island of Margarita, but it's not yet possible to pay by card at retail stores in Caracas.

In Cuba, you can withdraw money in pesos with a Russian card, but it's still impossible to pay with a Mir card in restaurants and shops.

VTB Kazakhstan fully services both its own Mir cards and cards issued by other banks, but Halyk Bank, Kazakhstan's largest bank, stopped accepting Mir.

In Tajikistan, you can't pay with a Russian card, but you can withdraw somoni from ATMs, specifically at the Dushanbe City Bank.

In South Korea, you can only pay with Mir at the country's largest chain store, CU.

Nine Kyrgyz banks suspended the service of Russian cards in fall 2022, fearing US financial institution sanctions, leaving only six banks that still work with Mir: RSK-Bank, Kapital Bank, Keremet Bank, Tolubay Bank, Kyrgyzkommertsbank, and the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank.

However, the Kyrgyz national payment card Elkart could be launched in Russia next year, with the Russian Mir cards working in harmony via a closed channel.

In Vietnam, it's almost impossible to pay with Mir at any terminal, but you can withdraw cash from ATMs at VRB Bank, a subsidiary of Russian VTB.

The Mir payment system has gained acceptance in several countries outside of Russia. Mir cards are accepted by at least one bank in Belarus, Tajikistan, Venezuela, Cuba, Mongolia, Vietnam, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia.

In some of these countries, Mir cards can be used without restrictions, allowing cardholders to make transactions at ATMs and pay for goods and services. This is the case in Abkhazia, Belarus, Armenia, and South Ossetia.

Mir cards are accepted by at least one bank in several countries outside Russia. The list includes Belarus, Tajikistan, Venezuela, and Cuba, among others.

In Vietnam, a Russian-Vietnamese bank called VRB accepts Mir cards, and a number of banks in Vietnam also accept them. This is a great example of how Mir is being adopted in various countries.

As of 2024, Mir cards are also accepted in Iran, Armenia, and Kazakhstan, despite some countries suspending their use in the past.

Here's a list of countries where Mir cards are accepted:

It's worth noting that some countries have suspended their use of Mir cards, including Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

In Abkhazia, Mir cards can be used without restrictions, allowing cardholders to make transactions at ATMs and pay for goods and services in commercial and retail businesses.

The Mir card is widely accepted in Armenia and South Ossetia, where it's used almost everywhere.

You can also use Mir cards in Belarus, thanks to the union program between Moscow and Minsk that integrates national payment card systems and financial messaging systems.

The BELKART payment system and VTB Bank in Belarus accept Mir cards, making it easy to make transactions in the country.

The Mir payment system launched a mobile contactless payment service in Russia on March 4, 2019. This service is called Mir Pay.

It can be used by owners of any Android smartphones starting from version 6.0. These smartphones must also have NFC technology support.

To use Mir Pay, you need a compatible Android smartphone.

The campaign to launch Mir payment system was a huge success, with a clear set of goals that were met and exceeded.

Over 140 Russian banks joined the Mir payment system, a significant milestone in its development.

The reach of the Mir brand grew almost 5 times, with 44% of Russians now aware of the brand. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the campaign.

According to a nationwide poll by VCIOM, over 60% of Russians said they were ready to use Mir bank cards. This is a clear indication of the system's potential.

The campaign also had a significant impact on the media, with mentions of Mir payment system increasing 7 times. This translated to a reach of 69 million people.

Here are some key statistics from the campaign:

The campaign's success was recognized with the "Silver Archer" award, a prestigious honor in the field of public relations.