The Google Play Store team has informed developers that it will soon stop processing payments globally meant for holders of Russian bank accounts. This limitation will take effect in two weeks on December 26, 2024.
According to a letter from Google Play, from this date, the store will "reject all user attempts to purchase paid apps, make in-app purchases (including new subscriptions), and renew subscriptions through Google Play payments."
Developers with accounts in Russia will receive their final payout from Google Play on January 15, 2025. After this, transfers will be suspended “indefinitely.”
Letter from Google Play to developers with Russian bank accounts. Source: Habr
The Google Play team did not explain the reasons for this decision. Although payment difficulties in Russia arose as early as spring 2022, developers have still been able to receive them to accounts with non-sanctioned banks.
Recently, Google has been increasingly scaling back its operations with Russia. For instance, in August, the corporation deactivated Russian accounts in the AdSense service, which allows monetization of ads on YouTube and various websites.