Apple shares statement on Russian invasion of Ukraine, pulling RT News and Sputnik News from the App Store

Apple has shared a statement on the violent invasion of Ukraine, confirming the company has halted all online Apple Store sales in Russia as well as sharing other actions in response to the invasion, including the removal of Russian apps RT News and Sputnik News from the App Store outside of Russia, and more.

In a short statement shared on Tuesday, Apple said “We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all of the people who are suffering as a result of the violence. We are supporting humanitarian efforts, providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis, and doing all we can to support our teams in the region.”

The statement, shared by John Paczkowski (via 9to5Mac) continued “We have taken a number of actions in response to the invasion. We have paused all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country. Apple Pay and other
services have been limited. RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the App Store outside Russia. And we have disabled both traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens.”

“We will continue to evaluate the situation and are in communication with relevant governments on the actions we are taking. We join all those around the world who are calling for peace.”

#Apple on #Ukraine: we have disabled both traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens pic.twitter.com/m8YA5N1bgf

— John Paczkowski (@JohnPaczkowski) March 1, 2022

The news follows after Apple Pay support was withdrawn from five banks in Russia on Friday as Australia, the US, the UK, the European Union and Japan imposed economic sanctions on Russia, seeing foreign transactions to Russian banks suspended indefinitely.

Ukrainian vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov wrote to Apple CEO Tim Cook last week in an effort to block the App Store and Apple online store for customers in Russia to “proactively stop the disgraceful military aggression” inflicted by Russia.