Samsung has stopped deliveries of its products to Russia after the country invaded Ukraine, Bloomberg News reported. The tech giant said it was monitoring a “difficult situation” and donating $6 million, including $1 million worth of consumer electronics, to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. According to the publication, the suspension of supplies will affect all Samsung products, including its smartphones, chips and other consumer electronics.
By stopping all exports of its products to Russia, Samsung has joined a growing list of companies that have suspended sales of goods and services in the country. Apple stopped selling all products in response to the invasion and after receiving a request from Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Fedorov. The company also restricted Apple Pay, removed apps for state-backed Russian media from its store, and turned off traffic data for Maps in Ukraine so as not to put residents at risk. Microsoft has also suspended all new sales of products and services in Russia.
The Korean tech giant is the leading smartphone brand in the country, with a 30 percent market share, according to Counterpoint Research. This is much higher than Apple’s 13 percent market share as of Q4 2021. In addition, Samsung has a TV manufacturing plant in Russia, although it is not clear if it has stopped production at that plant.
The decision to stop deliveries to Russia came after Fedorov sent John Hee Khan, CEO of Samsung SET, a letter similar to the one he sent to Tim Cook. In it, he asked the Korean tech giant to stop deliveries to the country of its products, as well as block Samsung Pay, Samsung Galaxy Store and Samsung Shop.
As Bloomberg notes, South Korean smartphones have become an exception to the recent export bans imposed by the US government. But even if Samsung does want to continue delivering products to Russia, it will still find it difficult to send products to the country due to the fact that airlines and delivery services stop their activities in the region.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team independently of our parent company. Some of our stories contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.