Russian Banks Shut Record Number of Branches Since 2017

Russian websites could soon be easy pickings for hackers as security certificates expire — banks, emails, and government systems all potentially at risk

Japanese certificate authority GlobalSign revoked TLS certificates for thousands of Russian domains in June 2026 as it implemented US and EU sanctionsAs a result, seven major Russian banks now serve certificates from a state root that no mainstream browser trusts, forcing users to manually install themUkraine's Foreign Intelligence Service says the losses turn Russian banking, email, and internal systems into easier targetsRussian companies are …

Russian Banks Shut Record Number of Branches Since 2017

Russian banks have sharply accelerated the closure of their branch networks, shutting down 1,370 additional offices between January and August 2026. Data from the Central Bank of Russia analyzed by Izvestia shows an average of 196 branches closing each month. We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field. DONATE NOW Sberbank accounted for roughly 40% of all closures, eliminating nearly 540 locations since the be…