Samsung has halted shipments of products to Russia due to current geopolitical developments, joining a growing list of companies that have halted sales and services in the country after its invasion of Ukraine last week.
Exports of all Samsung products to Russia, ranging from chips to smartphones and consumer electronics, have been suspended.
The company said in a statement that it is actively monitoring this complex situation to determine its next steps. Our priority is to ensure the safety of all our employees and their families.
The company has donated $6 million to humanitarian efforts in the region. Including a million dollars worth of consumer electronic products. In addition to voluntary contributions from company employees.
The move means Russia is isolated from a wide range of products from one of the world’s largest electronics sellers.
Besides concerns about the war, doing business in Russia has become a challenge for offshore companies, given the sanctions, the US ban on transactions with the country’s central bank, and the sharp drop in the ruble.
Microsoft condemned the unjustified and illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine. She suspends all new sales of products and services in Russia.
Apple also halted sales of iPhones and began limiting Apple Pay and other popular products in Russia. It also removed RT News and Sputnik News apps from its overseas app stores.
HP, the largest supplier of personal computers to Russia, has halted exports to the country, as has Intel.
Samsung has more smartphone market in Russia than Apple
Prior to Samsung’s announcement, Mikhailo Fedorov, who serves as Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and oversees digital operations, sent a letter to Samsung’s vice president urging the Korean tech giant to temporarily stop providing services and products to Russia.
“We believe that such measures motivate the young and active population of Russia to preemptively stop the shameful military aggression,” Fedorov said in the letter. We need your support. Modern technology in 2022 is perhaps the best response to tanks, rocket launchers, and missiles targeting residential neighborhoods, kindergartens, and hospitals.
Samsung is the leader in selling smartphones in Russia. It has a market share of just over 30 percent.
Smartphone sales in Russia account for about 4 percent of the company’s global hardware revenue. While semiconductor sales account for less than 0.1 percent. The company also owns a factory for the production of TVs in Russia.
Although South Korea obtained an exemption from US export controls against Russia, the suspension of shipping channels and flights into the country makes it difficult for Korean companies to send products to the region.
Korean Air said it was suspending cargo services to Moscow for two weeks. While shipping company HMM has suspended bookings in and out of Saint Petersburg.