Can international travelers use a Russian Agricultural Bank UnionPay card to pay in Dubai shops and malls?

Recent reports indicate that the Russian Agricultural Bank UnionPay card failed at several shops in Dubai Mall the previous week, so carrying cash in dirhams is advisable. It is also not accepted at Apple, although the card may work at other merchants.

A traveler reported being able to use a Russian Agricultural Bank UnionPay card for purchases at all Dubai shopping malls on their previous trip.

Based on successful mall payments the year before, the traveler planned to bring their Russian Agricultural Bank UnionPay card on a new trip to Dubai.

The reported acceptance specifically covered shopping malls rather than individual hypermarkets or hotels, so it is sensible to keep an alternative card or cash dirhams for those payments.