Microsoft Suspends Sales in Russia, Including Xbox Hardware and Games

Editor’s note: The war in Ukraine is a constant, painful, and emotional topic. IGN encourages members of the community to behave respectfully when discussing this topic and does not condone the harassment of any kind.

Microsoft has announced that it will suspend the sale of all its products and services in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

In a message from President Brad Smith, the company announced: “We are shutting down many aspects of our business in Russia in accordance with government sanctions decisions.

“We believe we are most effective in helping 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 evolves.”

Smith also indicated that Microsoft has already taken action against cyberattacks and “Russian positioning, destructive or subversive measures against more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial sector organizations.”

In a candid post, Smith began: “Like the rest of the world, we are horrified, outraged and saddened by the images and news coming from the war in Ukraine and condemn this unjustified, unprovoked and illegal Russian invasion.”

The company will also provide technical and financial support to humanitarian organizations in the region, as well as offering assistance to Microsoft employees in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s public

The move follows Ukraine’s public call for gaming companies, including Xbox, to temporarily stop supporting Russia and Belarus. Following this call, CD Projekt Red and Bloober pulled their games from sales in countries, and PlayStation also appears to have silently canceled Gran Turismo 7.

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many parts of the gaming industry have supported Ukraine, including a number of fundraising efforts for humanitarian organizations.
A number of humanitarian organizations are currently accepting donations and support for their efforts to help Ukrainians affected by the war. They include:

• save the children: On earth right now they are providing humanitarian assistance to children.
• UNICEF: Providing the population with basic necessities and safe water, as well as care for children in the field and children separated from their families.
• Project HOPE: Sending medical supplies and providing medical care to refugees.

Joe Skrebels is Executive News Editor for IGN. Follow him on Twitter. Any advice for us? Want to discuss a possible story?