Kremlin turns payments into surveillance tool in occupied Ukraine
The aggressor country's Central Bank (Photo: REUTERS/Ramil Sitdikov)
Russia will tighten control over citizens’ money transfers and digital payments in 2026, giving regulators direct access to payment system data, Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation wrote on Jan. 11.
The changes include expanded monitoring of “atypical” peer-to-peer transactions, direct regulator access to payment system data, and faster information sharing between government agencies.
Formally, Russia’s Central Bank presents these steps as technical improvements. In practice, the state is expanding its ability to conduct total surveillance of private finances. Banks will be allowed to block transactions for up to two days. The Central Bank will also transfer data on all electronic money operations to tax authorities and, starting in March 2026, cross-check them against cybercrime databases.
These measures are particularly dangerous for residents of territories temporarily occupied by Russia. Unlike Russian citizens, people in the occupied Ukrainian territories will face even stricter control.
“Any transfer, even between family members, can be labeled suspicious solely because the recipient has Ukrainian origin," the Center noted.
"Under these conditions, financial control becomes not a technical measure but a mechanism of constant surveillance, inspections, and pressure by the occupation authorities.”
It was reported that in 2017 Russia’s State Duma approved a bill that effectively banned money transfers to Ukraine through foreign payment systems.
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
