Russia’s economy is already buckling under crippling Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. On top of those losses, the country is facing cancel culture, with a staggering number of businesses and industries waging their own economic war. Here are five of them in this week’s Five For Friday.
#5: Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson is suspending business in Russia, stopping all bike shipments. The company doesn’t break out sales there by country, but the region Russia is a part of — Europe, Middle East and Africa — accounts for 31% of business. For one customer in particular, it’s personal. Russian President Vladimir Putin was photographed riding a Harley in 2010 in Ukraine of all places.
#4: Hollywood
Hollywood is going dark on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Disney, Warner Bros. and Sony have all told Russia no more new movies, halting the theatrical releases of films like “The Batman,” Pixar’s “Turning Red,” and Marvel’s “Morbius.”
#3: Digital wallets
Here’s one that’s hitting ordinary Russians hard. Customers of sanctioned banks are cut off from contactless payment systems Apple Pay and Google Pay, and it’s wreaking havoc at the metro as surprised commuters scramble for change.
#2: Chelsea FC
Worth an estimated $3.3 billion, Chelsea Football Club has won 19 major titles since the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought it in 2003. But the threat of sanctions and his ties with Putin are pressuring the billionaire to put the club first and sell. Buyers are circling and Abramovich said he’ll funnel sale proceeds to aid Ukrainian war victims.
#1: Russian vodka
Though mostly symbolic, few things are as synonymous with the country, so of course it’s being canceled. In San Francisco, the Madrone Art Bar dumped Russian drinks from its menu and down the drain, and the Bond Bar renamed the Moscow Mule the Kyiv Mule. Also, one of the most well-known brands is desperately trying to distance itself from Russia: Stoli is actually made in Latvia and unequivocally condemned Russia’s military action.
