Microsoft has started disconnecting Russian companies. According to the Moscow Times, citing information from the Russian IT company Softline, the American tech giant began limiting access for Russian corporate clients to solutions such as Visio Online, Project Online, and Power BI in mid-May.

Softline reported on Telegram: “We have started receiving signals about the closure of cloud services. The subscriptions of many of our clients have been disabled, and users have lost access to the Teams application.”

The company had previously warned that starting in September, Microsoft would impose new sanctions on Russian businesses, cutting off access to some cloud subscriptions for companies registered in Russia. However, these restrictions will not apply to international companies owned by foreign legal entities.

In June, the United States tightened sanctions against Russia in response to the war in Ukraine, banning the provision of several IT services. Starting from September 12, there will be a ban on providing Russian entities with IT consulting, design, and support services related to management, design, and production software, concerning the export and re-export of services from the United States.

Microsoft has started disconnecting Russian companies from its cloud services

As reported by the Moscow Times, these sanctions affect about 300 entities from Russia, China, Belarus, and South Africa, including the Moscow Stock Exchange and national clearing institutions.

The war in Ukraine, started by the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, has been going on for over 1.5 years and remains one of the most dramatic armed conflicts of the 21st century. Over the course of its duration, this war has developed into a conflict that has consequences not only for Ukraine and Russia, but also for the entire world.

Humanitarian and Social Impact

The conflict has caused massive civilian casualties and displacement. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes. It is estimated that over 6 million Ukrainians have become refugees, mostly relocating to European countries such as Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Millions more have been internally displaced within Ukraine’s borders. International organizations like the United Nations and the Red Cross have repeatedly raised alarms about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, highlighting issues such as the lack of access to water, food, and medical care in many besieged cities.

Political and Economic Consequences

The war in Ukraine has triggered significant political and economic repercussions on a global scale. In response to the invasion, the West imposed unprecedented economic sanctions on Russia, affecting its economy and international trade. The assets of Russian oligarchs were frozen, the export of advanced technologies to Russia was restricted, and many international companies withdrew from the Russian market. At the same time, the war has led to the destabilization of global energy and food markets, resulting in rising prices and inflation worldwide.

International Support

Since the beginning of the invasion, Ukraine has received political, financial, and military support from numerous countries, primarily the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and others. This assistance includes the supply of weapons, ammunition, armored vehicles, air defense systems, as well as military training and intelligence sharing. NATO countries and partners are also reinforcing the Alliance’s eastern flank, fearing further escalation of the conflict. Microsoft began disconnecting Russian companies as a consequence of international support.