Editor’s Note: The war in Ukraine is an ongoing, painful and emotive topic. IGN urges community members to be respectful when engaging in conversation around this subject and does not endorse harassment of any kind.
Microsoft has announced that it will suspended sales of all its products and services in Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine.
In a post by president Brad Smith, the company announced, “we are stopping many aspects of our business in Russia in compliance with governmental sanctions decisions.
“We believe we are most effective in aiding Ukraine when we take concrete steps in coordination with the decisions being made by these governments and we will take additional steps as this situation continues to evolve.”
Smith also pointed out that Microsoft has already acted against cyberattacks and “Russian positioning, destructive or disruptive measures against more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial sector organizations.”
In the outspoken post, Smith began, “Like the rest of the world, we are horrified, angered and saddened by the images and news coming from the war in Ukraine and condemn this unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia.”
The company will also provide technology and financial support for humanitarian organisations in the region, and is offering support to Ukraine-based Microsoft employees.
The move follows a public call from Ukraine for game companies, including Xbox, to temporarily stop support for Russia and Belarus. Since that call, CD Projekt Red and Bloober have pulled their games from sale in the countries, and PlayStation also appears to have quietly pulled the release of Gran Turismo 7.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many parts of the games industry have thrown their support behind Ukraine, including a number of fundraising efforts for humanitarian organizations.
A number of humanitarian aid organizations are currently accepting donations and support for their efforts to help Ukrainians impacted by the war. They include:
- Save the Children: On the ground right now providing humanitarian aid to children.
- UNICEF: Providing emergency supplies and safe water to communities, as well as care for children on the ground and who have been separated from families.
- Project HOPE: Sending medical supplies and providing health care for refugees.
Joe Skrebels is IGN’s Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.