Russia's National Card Payment System (NSPK) said on Tuesday it had launched its Mir payment cards in Cuba, making the Caribbean island one of only a handful of countries to join Moscow's alternative to Visa and Mastercard. Payment cards issued by Mir have become more important since its U.S. rivals suspended operations in Russia after Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, and their payment cards which were issued in the country stopped working abroad. The NSPK said the cards will first be accepted in popular tourist locations, including the Cuban capital Havana and the resort town of Varadero.