TASHKENT, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Uzbekistan's UZCARD system has suspended the processing of payments via Mir cards issued by Bank of Russia's National Card Payment System (NSPK), the chief executive of which has been targeted by U.S. sanctions.

The move by UZCARD was warranted by the need "to carry out the necessary technical procedures", it said in a statement on Friday without any further explanation.

An UZCARD representative could not be reached for immediate comment and clarification.

NSPK Chief Executive Vladimir Komlev declined to comment on UZCARD's announcement.

Russia has promoted Mir as an alternative to Visa and MasterCard, which shut off their Russian networks after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February.

The United States last week issued sanctions against NSPK's Komlev, saying it was seeking to hold the Russian government accountable for its Feb. 24 invasion and continuing war against Ukraine.

Shortly afterwards, Turkish banks Denizbank and Isbank suspended use of Mir. (Reporting by Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov Writing by Olzhas Auyezov Editing by David Goodman)