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Only 17 of the world’s 122 largest companies have withdrawn from Russia since the invasion of Ukraine
Only 17 of the world’s 122 largest companies have pulled out of Russia since it invaded Ukraine – with Unilever, BP and HSBC all still operating there.
A year after Vladimir Putin launched his bloody attack, 59 companies have made only “partial withdrawals,” closing parts of their businesses in Russia.
And 46 “hardcore” companies have refused to downsize at all, according to a report from the Moral Rating Agency (MRA).
A year after Vladimir Putin launched his bloody attack, 59 companies have made only ‘partial withdrawals’ – closing parts of their businesses in Russia
The watchdog, which was set up to track companies operating in Russia during the war, said those still trading in the country are “facilitating Putin’s invasion”.
US anti-corruption activist Bill Browder said companies trading there “benefit Putin and lead to the deaths of innocent Ukrainians.”
Among the companies that, according to the MRA, have not moved on and left Russia were consumer goods giant Unilever.
In March, it pledged to suspend all imports and exports of its products to and from Russia. But it has since emerged that it still sells Magnums and Cornettos in the country.
It reported £147 million in profits in Russia last year, which it branded “blood money.”
The MRA’s report, released on the anniversary of Putin’s invasion, also criticized British bank HSBC and oil giant BP.
Browder said, “Western companies that continue to do business in Russia deserve to lose their Western customer base.”