Ukraine invasion: Which companies are pulling out of Russia and reducing their services?
Major companies are pulling their services and halting product sales in Russia in the wake of the country's invasion into Ukraine.
A growing chorus of Western companies are openly condemning Russian actions, including Apple, Google, and Ikea among many others.
Here are some of the big the companies which have banned product sales and reduced services in Russia so far.
Social media
TikTok
The Chinese-owned video sharing app has said Russian users will no longer be able to post new videos or livestreams and they also wouldn’t be able to see videos shared from elsewhere in the world.
“In light of Russia’s new ‘fake news’ law, we have no choice but to suspend livestreaming and new content to our video service while we review the safety implications of this law,” TikTok said in a statement on Twitter. “Our in-app messaging service will not be affected.”
TikTok spokesperson Hilary McQuaide said the TikTok app in Russia now appears in “view-only” mode and won't let people post or see new videos or livestreams. They can still see older videos, but not if they came from outside the country, she said.
“The safety of employees is our top priority,” she said, adding that the company — part of China-based tech company ByteDance — didn't want to put either its Russian employees or users at risk of severe criminal penalties.
Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook, will restrict access to Russian state media outlets RT and Sputnik on its platforms across the European Union.
It is also demoting content from Russian state-controlled media outlets’ Facebook pages and Instagram accounts, as well as posts containing links to those outlets on Facebook.
Meta's Nick Clegg told reporters during a conference call that the company had seen a "definitely discernable" degradation of its services in Russia since authorities there announced they would restrict Meta's platforms.
Russia has partially limited Facebook and Instagram after it called for the lifting of restrictions on four Russian media outlets, but Meta refused.
Bumble
The dating app announced it is "discontinuing its operations in Russia" as well as removing all of its apps from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in Russia and Belarus.
The combined revenue from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus was around 2.8% of its annual revenue in 2021, the company added.
Financial firms
American Express
American Express has announced it is suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus.
Globally issued American Express cards will no longer work at shops of cash machines in Russia, the company said in a statement.
AmEx cards issued locally in Russia by the country’s banks will also no longer work outside of Russia.
The company previously halted its relationships with banks in Russia impacted by the US and international government sanctions, the company said.
Mastercard and Visa
Mastercard and Visa announced on Saturday 5 March they would be suspending their operations in Russia.
Mastercard said cards issued by Russian banks will no longer be supported by its network and any card issued outside the country will not work at Russian stores or cash machines.
Visa said it's working with clients and partners in Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days.
PayPal
PayPal has shut down its services in Russia, citing "the current circumstances" in Russia.
President and Chief Executive Dan Schulman said in a statement. He added that the company "stands with the international community in condemning Russia's violent military aggression in Ukraine."
A company spokesperson said PayPal will support withdrawals "for a period of time, ensuring that account balances are dispersed in line with applicable laws and regulations.”
Streaming, gaming and music companies
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group has said it is “suspending all operations in Russia” and closing its offices in the country “effective immediately”.
The music corporation joins a host of other big businesses and brands, including Coca-Cola, Starbucks and McDonald’s, who have announced the move in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A statement from the record label said: “Effective immediately, we are suspending all operations in Russia and closing our offices there.
“We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible."
Netflix
Netflix has said it is suspending its service in Russia but didn't provide additional details.
It previously said it has no plans to add state-run channels in Russia, despite a regulation that would require the streaming service to distribute state-backed channels, because of the "current situation" in Ukraine.
The decision is in defiance of a new Russian law which would have applied to Netflix as of March 1, which requires media platforms that reach more than 100,000 subscribers in Russia to distribute free-to air Russian news and entertainment TV channels.
The regulations are overseen by Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor.
Spotify
The streaming service Spotify has closed its office in Moscow and removed and restricted content that is operated or backed by Russian state media.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened by the unprovoked attack on Ukraine," the company said in a statement.
"Our team has reviewed thousands of pieces of content since the start of the war, and has restricted the discoverability of shows owned and operated by Russian state-affiliated media," it read.
"Earlier this week, we also took the additional step of removing all RT and Sputnik content from Spotify in the EU and other markets."
EA
Video game maker Electronic Arts Inc said is removing the Russian national team and all Russian football clubs from its popular video game FIFA 22.
The company said it would also remove Russian team from NHL 22 - its game title based on the National Hockey League.
EA's move comes days after FIFA suspended Russia's national teams and clubs from international football and the NHL said it would no longer consider the country when looking at locations for any future NHL competitions.
Tech companies
Apple
US tech giant Apple is stopping sales of iPhones and other products in Russia, it has also limited Apple Pay – which has led to huge queues on the metro system.
RT News and Sputnik News (two state-backed news services) can no longer be downloaded from the App Store outside of Russia and Apple has made changes to its Map app to protect civilians in Ukraine – it has disabled both traffic and live incidents.
In a statement Apple said: “We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all of the people who are suffering as a result of the violence. We are supporting humanitarian efforts, providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis, and doing all we can to support our teams in the region.”
Google said it had removed Russian state-funded publishers such as RT from its news-related features, including the Google News search tool.
The tech company has also banned RT and other Russian channels from receiving money for ads on websites, apps and YouTube videos.
Google Pay has been limited in Russia and Google Maps has disabled live traffic data in Ukraine so you cannot see how busy a place is.
The app has also launched an SOS alert on search in Ukraine – when people search for refugee and evacuation information, they will see an alert pointing them to United Nations resources for refugees and asylum seekers.
Microsoft
Microsoft said it had suspended all sales of its products and services to Russia.
They also said they would work with the US, UK and EU to stop any aspects of their business that would breach any sanctions.
President and Vice Chairman of Microsoft Brad Smith said the biggest way the company could contribute to the war was assisting with Ukraine's cybersecurity.
He said since the war began Microsoft had prevented 20 cyberattacks against Ukrainian cyber systems.
Oracle
American tech company Oracle said it had suspended all operations in Russia - the announcement came just three hours after Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation called on it to stop doing business in Russia.
Retailers
IKEA
Flat-pack furniture giant Ikea has temporarily closed all retail and manufacturing operations in Russia and Belarus in a move impacting around 15,000 workers.
Nike
Nike has made online sales unavailable in Russia, instead the sportswear giant is directing customers to their nearest Nike stores.
H&M
The clothing retailer said it has paused all sales in Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.
H&M said it "is deeply concerned about the tragic developments in Ukraine"- and that the situation is being "continuously monitored and evaluated".
The company had already temporarily closed stores in Ukraine over fears for the safety of customers and staff.
JD Sports
JD Sports have also announced plans to withdraw from Russia - even though the business only makes 0.05% of its sales in the country through its website and wholesale partners. It also has no sites or employees in either Russia or Ukraine, but said in a statement that everyone at the company is "shocked and deeply concerned" by the invasion.
“The conflict in Ukraine continues to generate grave concern and we look forward to reconciliation and the return to peace within the region," the statement added.
John Lewis
John Lewis will no longer sell a line of pizza oven pellets which it sources from Russia.
The John Lewis Partnership, which includes Waitrose, added: “We’re working with our suppliers to review products that have components of Russian origin and will be seeking to mitigate further exposure to the region.”
Waitrose had earlier said that it will remove a type of Russian vodka from its shelves as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
Sports Direct
The sports store has also pulled out of Russia, with a statement saying that "we have stopped processing orders until further notice".
It says this is because of the "unforeseen situation in Ukraine".
Mothercare
The babycare retailer announced it has paused all its business in Russia, which accounts for up to a quarter of its worldwide retail sales, sending shares plunging by more than a quarter at one stage.
Hugo Boss
German fashion brand Hugo Boss said it is temporarily closing its shops and has suspended its own retail and e-commerce business activities in Russia. The company said it will give all affected employees “financial and operational support".
Russia, along with Ukraine, accounted for about 3% of Hugo Boss’s total sales last year.
Uniqlo
Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo said it is temporarily closing in Russia, following a social backlash over reported comments by a top executive that its 49 stores will stay open.
Earlier this week, the boss of the holding company for several clothing brands, including Uniqlo, Fast Retailing, Tadashi Yanai was quoted as saying in Japanese business daily Nikkei that Uniqlo would stay open in Russia because Russians had as much right to everyday clothes as anyone else.
The comments prompted public criticism, including calls for a boycott on social media.
“Uniqlo has made everyday clothing available to the general public in Russia, too, as part of our mission. However, we have recently faced a number of difficulties, including operational challenges and the worsening of the conflict situation,” said Fast Retailing Co, the holding company for several clothing brands, including Uniqlo.
Fast Retailing has donated clothing and £7.6 million through the UN refugee program.
Food and drink companies
Papa John's
Papa John's is suspending all corporate operations in Russia and said it will stop supporting its 188 franchised restaurants there.
The company also said it has stopped all operational, marketing and business support and engagement with the Russian market.
“Papa John’s stands with much of the globe in condemning aggression and violence,” the company said in a statement. “We hope for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Ukraine, which today is hurting millions of innocent people, who are losing their homes, communities and people they love.”
Heineken
The lager producer said it was "shocked and saddened" by events in Ukraine and would stop producing, selling and advertising of the Heineken brand in Russia as a response.
It will continue selling other brands in Russia but will "ring fence" its Russian business from the wider company to ensure there's no flow of cash out of Russia.
The firm said it will no longer accept any financial benefit from its operations in Russia and would stop all Russian investment and exports.
McDonald's
McDonald's said it is temporarily closing all of its 850 restaurants in Russia in response to the invasion. The fast food giant's president and CEO Chris Kempckinski said it "cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine".
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola, one the first western companies to operate in Russia towards the end of the Soviet Union, said on Tuesday it would halt operations there.
"Our hearts are with the people who are enduring unconscionable effects from these tragic events in Ukraine," a statement said.
Starbucks
Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said in an open letter to the brand's partners that it would suspend all business activity in Russia, in light of the "horrific attacks on Ukraine". He added that the shipment of all Starbucks products to Russia will also be paused. The hot drinks brand "will provide support to the nearly 2,000 partners in Russia who depend on Starbucks for their livelihood", Mr Johnson said.
Pepsi "Given the horrific events occurring in Ukraine we are announcing the suspension of the sale of Pepsi-Cola, and our global beverage brands in Russia, including 7Up and Mirinda," Pepsi CEO Ramon Laguarta said. However, Mr Laguarta added that Pepsi had a "responsibility" to continue selling some of its other products in Russia, namely essentials like milk, baby formula and baby food.
KFC and Pizza Hut
The owner of KFC and Pizza Hut, Yum! Brands, revealed it was pausing 70 KFC company-owned restaurants in Russia and was due to suspend all 50 Pizza Hut franchise outlets.
Taylors of HarrogateThe owners of Yorkshire Tea said they would stop selling their products in Russia.
A spokesperson said: "Like everyone, we’ve been deeply shocked and saddened by the invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those impacted.
"Our Ethical Trade and Human Rights Policy states that our values guide how we work with suppliers, customers and distributors. It includes the provision that we will not trade with individuals, entities, regions or countries where UK sanctions have been applied.
"While Russia has been an export market for some of our teas for several years, as a result of the invasion and the subsequent sanctions we’ve suspended trade.
Harrogate Spring Water
A spokesperson for Harrogate Spring Water said the company had "made the decision to stop all exports to Russia with immediate effect" but declined to give any further detail.
Other companies
Imperial Brands
Cigarette maker Imperial Brands - the group which makes West, Winston and Rizlas - said it was pausing production at its factory in Volgograd, alongside all sales and marketing activity in the country in a move impacting around 1,000 employees.
Russia and Ukraine together accounted for 2% of Imperial’s net revenues last year, or around £656 million.
The tobacco giant said negotiations are under way to sell its Russian assets to an unnamed local third party.
Car manufacturers
Mercedes-Benz
Germany luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz said it would suspend the export of passenger cars and vans to Russia, as well as local manufacturing in the country.
Ford
Ford has suspended operations in Russia until further notice.
BMW
The German carmaker BMW has halted the exports of cars to Russia and would stop production on the ground in the country.
"Due to the current geopolitical situation, we are discontinuing our local production in Russia and export to the Russian market," BMW said in a statement.
Ferrari
On March 9, the luxury carmaker Ferrari said they would be suspending sales in Russia for the time being.
"Given the ongoing situation Ferrari has taken the decision to suspend the production of vehicles for the Russian market until further notice," the Italian company said in a statement.
"We continue to monitor the situation closely and will always respect all rules, regulations and sanctions," it said.
Inchcape
The UK-based car dealership business also said it will leave Russia, which contributed £750 million to its global sales.
The company said it is “deeply saddened” by the conflict in Ukraine. Bosses will work with local partners to offload the business “with the aim of safeguarding the continuing employment of our colleagues”.
Hospitality
Airbnb
The short-lettings company announced it would be suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus.
Alisher Usmanov, the Russian billionaire who was issued with sanctions by the UK government on Thursday, was a major investor in the company.
Phone companies
Nokia
Nokia has stopped deliveries to Russia to comply with sanctions imposed on the country following the invasion of Ukraine.
"This is a complex situation which is evolving rapidly and we continue to assess it", the company, which supplies MTS, Vimpelcom, Megafon and Tele2 in Russia, told Reuters.
Samsung
Samsung Electronics said shipments to Russia have been suspended "due to current geopolitical developments."
"We continue to actively monitor this complex situation to determine our next steps," the company said in a statement.
Entertainment
Disney, Warner Bros, and Sony Pictures Entertainment said they would pause theatrical releases of upcoming films in Russia.
The announcement means the upcoming release of Turning Red, The Batman and Morbius will not go ahead as scheduled.
"We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation," Disney said in a statement. "In the meantime, given the scale of the emerging refugee crisis, we are working with our NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance."
Discovery
Discovery suspended its broadcasting in Russia on 9 March.
Fifteen of Discovery's entertainment brands, including HGTV, Animal Planet, TLC and Eurosport, are distributed through Media Alliance, a joint venture with Russia's National Media Group."Discovery has decided to suspend the broadcast of its channels and services in Russia," the company said.
Oil companies
Shell
The company said it would immediately stop buying Russian crude oil on the spot market and will shut service stations, aviation fuel and lubricants operations in Russia.
The rest of the company’s exit from Russian oil and gas will take place over time.
The business said it will “withdraw from its involvement in all Russian hydrocarbons, including crude oil, petroleum products, gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a phased manner, aligned with new government guidance”.