Sony Pictures suspends all business operations in Russia

Following Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced that it will suspend all of its business operations in Russia, after Disney’s similar move.

This boycott of Russia from Sony includes Crunchyroll stopping its anime streaming service in the country as well as home entertainment releases and future TV distribution deals.

Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra wrote in an email sent to his staff, “Two weeks ago, we paused the upcoming theatrical release of Morbius in Russia. Since then, we have also halted our planned home entertainment releases, including Spider-Man: No Way Home, and any future television distribution deals. And just this morning, Crunchyroll suspended its anime streaming service in Russia. And as you saw last week, Sony Group announced a $2 million (roughly Rs. 15 crore) donation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the international NGO Save the Children in order to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.”

Disney's business stoppage in Russia includes content and product licensing, Disney Cruise Line activities, National Geographic magazine and tours, local content productions, and linear channels.

Numerous Western corporations in a variety of industries have re-evaluated their operations in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Some companies have decided to stop doing business in the country, while others have decided to leave completely, including Ford, Volkswagen, Coca-Cola (COKE), McDonald's, Starbucks, Airbnb, Amazon, Meta, Netflix, Apple, among others.