Following the example of many other US companies, Google closes its services for users registered in Crimea. Their accounts registered in Google's AdSense contextual advertising system are to be blocked on Friday, Russian press reports.

      At first, Google even notified its Crimean partners that the company would not be able to return money from blocked users' accounts. However, another letter sent later from Google to AdSense users contradicted this, saying that the company would refund all sums exceeding $10.

      Google will continue to provide Crimean residents with its search system, gmail service, maps and some other free services. They will also be able to download a free content from Google Play, but not the products requiring payment.

      Earlier on Friday, US-based digital payment system PayPal notified customers in Crimea that it will stop providing services to residents of the peninsula.

      Earlier in the week, US company Apple informed developers and companies registered in Crimea that they were no longer able to place their products on the AppStore service, an on-line store selling programs for iPhones and iPads. Apple has also banned all its authorized dealers from selling the company's products in the Crimean region from February 1.

      In December 2014, US payment giants MasterCard and Visa suspended services to banks in Crimea.

      This is just a small part of all the restrictions and sanctions against the Crimean region and its citizens which were imposed by Western countries after Russia's annexation of Crimea.