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Russia Ukraine war: From Netflix, Apple to Mercedes, top brands exit Russia amid war with Ukraine | See list
As the West continues to impose sanctions against Moscow, leading multinational companies started shutting down operations in Russia to show solidarity with war-torn Ukraine.
Scores of leading brands across industries, from entertainment to banking to motor vehicles and others, have decided to suspend operations in Russia as a show of solidarity with Ukraine. Moscow has continued its military advance against Kyiv for 12 days now, displacing more than 1.5 million people in Ukraine who have been forced to seek refuge in foreign lands.
At a time like this, the growing number of multinational companies exiting Russia, along with the hoard of sanctions imposed by the West, is bound to dampen the country's economy.
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Among the latest to retreat is streaming giant Netflix, which joined the long line of major entertainment companies and Hollywood studios that have shut down operations in Russia. TikTok and Snapchat are among top social media companies to stop services Russia.
In a huge setback, earlier on the weekend, payments giants Visa and Mastercard announced suspension of activities in Russia in response to President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, a move that was appreciated by US President Joe Biden. Visa and Mastercard said that any transactions initiated with their cards issued in Russia will no longer work outside the country from March 10, while cards issued outside Russia will also not work in the country.
American Express also announced on Sunday that it was suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus.
Last week, Putin also intensified a crackdown on media outlets and individuals who fail to hew to the Kremlin line on the war, blocking Facebook and Twitter and signing into law a bill that criminalizes anyone with an intention of spreading, what Moscow called, “fake” reports. BBC, among several other news organisations, shut down operations in Russia following the new law.
Here's a list of top companies that have suspended operations, either partially or completely, in Russia so far:
1. Tech companies: Apple, Microsoft, Google, Samsung
2. Entertainment and social media: Netflix, Snapchat, TikTok
3. Banking and payments: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, PayPal
4. Lifestyle: Airbnb, Ikea, H&M, Nike, Puma, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein
5. Brewers: Budvar, Carlsberg
6. Motor vehicles: Ford, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, Toyota, Volvo, Harley Davidson
7. Airplane makers: Boeing, Airbus
