After other heavyweights such as Apple, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and Take-Two Interactive, Sony has now reacted and drawn consequences from the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. PlayStation content will no longer be sold in Russia until further notice.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has now also positioned itself clearly in the Ukraine conflict and is campaigning for peace in the region. After Russian troops invaded Ukraine and thus violated international law, countless well-known companies from a wide variety of industries have already withdrawn from Russia and the supporter state of Belarus – now Sony too.
In a statement, the company confirmed that it was suspending all hardware and software sales in Russia in response to the unprovoked attack by Ukraine. The digital PlayStation Store will also stop serving in Russia. Earlier, Mykhail Fedorov, a minister of Ukraine, urged companies like Sony or Microsoft to avoid Russian markets because of violations of international law.
Previously, Sony was still covered with an official statement and far-reaching steps, but has already skipped the launch of Gran Turismo 7 in Russia. Now they are campaigning for peace in the region and are also donating 2 million US dollars to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR and Save the Children.
In the technology sector, Microsoft, Apple, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games, CD Projekt RED including GOG.com, Netflix and most recently Amazon have already withdrawn alongside Sony. Amazon, for example, has also shut down its streaming service Prime Video in Russia and no longer wants to deliver goods there.