hannahhttps://usa.visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-releases.releaseId.18871.html
Not sure how actions like these do anything but punish normal Russian citizens who need a way to pay for basic necessities. I really don’t see how this does anything to stop the Russian forces who are actually advancing into Ukraine.
I believe the logic is that all transactions made in Russia, whether that be selling a product or using a debit card, includes tax. That tax money goes to the Russian government, which funds the war effort, etc. Also has the benefit of making the war even more unpopular in Russia, and for a dictator, public opinion means a lot. When his security forces can't pay for food because of his decisions, quashing protests suddenly doesn't sound that appealling.