Cash withdrawals restricted in Russian-occupied Crimea
Following the petrol shortage that has gripped temporarily occupied Crimea due to Ukrainian strikes on the land corridor and vessels in the Kerch Strait, the peninsula now appears to be facing a shortage of cash roubles as well.
Source: The Moscow Times, an independent Amsterdam-based news outlet
Details: Russian state bank VTB, which operates a network of 1,400 ATMs in Crimea, has introduced restrictions on cash withdrawals from cards issued by other banks. The bank said the reduced limits will remain in place until 1 August and are linked to "increased load" on the network.
VTB ATMs now allow withdrawals of no more than RUB15,000 (US$195) per day and RUB50,000 (US$695) per month. The limits have been cut tenfold and sixfold respectively, having previously stood at RUB150,000 (US$1,950) and RUB300,000 (US$3,897).
More details: The Moscow Times reports that VTB has also introduced limits on the number of cash withdrawal transactions. VTB is the largest Russian bank operating on the peninsula.
Background:
- A fuel crisis has been escalating in Russia amid continued Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries, with shortages of motor fuel similar to those previously reported in the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol and Crimea now spreading to Russia's capital region.
- The Russian occupying authorities declared a regional state of emergency in Crimea and Sevastopol.
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