new Delhi: To further isolate Russia from the global arena, several multinational corporations (MNCs) have pulled the plug on their news, entertainment and online social networking sites in the country. The process has gained momentum after Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine.
In response, the Russian government has crushed several media outlets and social networking sites.
Netflix and TikTok were the two latest companies to have suspended operations in Russia on Sunday as the government cracks down on what people and media outlets can say about the conflict in Ukraine, news agency AP reported.
The list keeps getting longer as multinationals cut Russia off from critical financial services, technology and various consumer products as global outrage over Ukraine’s invasion grew. In response, the Russian government has also blocked some multinational companies in the country on grounds of spreading ‘misinformation’ and ‘fake’ news. The Kremlin on Friday signed a law that criminalizes the deliberate spreading of what Moscow calls “fake” reports and, according to reports, blocked Facebook and Twitter. Here is a list of companies and associations that have banned their services/products or have now exited Russia.
Access to Facebook has been blocked in Russia in retaliation. Russian state communications regulator Roskomnadzor said it had restricted access to Twitter.
Visa, MasterCard, American Express
US credit card companies Visa, MasterCard and American Express all said over the weekend they would cut service in Russia.
Samsung Electronics
South Korean major Samsung Electronics, a major supplier of both smartphones and computer chips, said it would halt product shipments to Russia.
google, twitter
Google has completely suspended its advertising business in the country. This includes advertising revenue from YouTube, search and all other forms of marketing sponsored by Google. However, Russian users can still use Google’s search engine. Google Maps features have also been disabled, the company said, although Google provides information about refugee resources for people fleeing Ukraine. Access to Twitter has been restricted.
Apple, Microsoft, Intel, Dell
World’s big tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Intel and Dell have said that they will stop selling products and services in the country. This can make it hard to get everything from video games to iPhones in Russia. Apple has also disabled some Apple Maps features in Ukraine for the safety of citizens.
BMW, Ford, GM, Honda
Major automakers have scaled down their operations in Russia. BMW will stop local production in Kaliningrad and stop exports to Russia. Ford is suspending its operations in Russia “effective immediately until further notice”. GM is suspending business in Russia, while Honda has suspended exports.
airbnb
Online hospitality company Airbnb has also closed its operations in Russia.
KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers
Two of the so-called Big Four accounting firms said on Sunday they were severing ties with Russia. KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers will both end their ties with their member companies based in Russia, which each employ thousands of people.
Snapchat
The short-lived-messaging app has stopped all advertising sales to Russian and Belarusian entities, although its app remains live across the region as a communication tool.
BBC News, Deutsche Welle
Russia has increasingly begun to block global news outlets such as BBC News, Deutsche Welle, and RFE/RL (including at present). These actions are primarily intended to reduce the dissemination of information that does not align with Russia’s official position regarding the invasion of Ukraine.
Disney
The company has halted all theatrical releases in Russia, including the upcoming Pixar film turning red,
Sony
The company’s movie studios have put an upcoming theatrical release in Russia on hold. But so far sales of Sony’s popular gaming console PlayStation 5 continue. This comes despite mounting pressure on the company to stop selling its gaming system in the country.
Warner Bros.
film studio will not release Batman in Russia as scheduled and will instead halt operations in the country.
Paramount
Paramount will halt theatrical release in Russia. This includes upcoming lost Cityas well as a sequel Sonic the Hedgehog,
universal
The film studio will also suspend releases in Russia, although the specific films that will be put on hold have yet to be announced.
Nintendo
The video game company has currently put its Russian e-shop in maintenance mode, which means it is unavailable to Russian users. So far, Russian gamers have been barred from buying new games through the service.
electronic Arts
The maker of popular video games, including the FIFA franchise, has stopped selling all content in Russia and Belarus. This includes games, add-on content and virtual currency. Additionally, EA has removed Russian national teams from all versions of its soccer and hockey video games.
H&M
H&M said it would temporarily suspend all sales in Russia and close more than 150 stores.
puma
Puma has suspended deliveries to Russia but 100 of its stores in the country are still operational.
Ikea
Swedish furniture company IKEA has closed all its stores in Russia and stopped purchasing materials from Russia and neighboring Belarus.
FIFA, UEFA
Russia has been expelled from the 2022 World Cup and its teams have been suspended from all international football competitions “until further notice”, FIFA announced in a joint statement with UEFA.
international flights
Moscow has banned flights by airlines from 36 countries, including the UK and Germany.