Ukraine War: Missing Products and Closed Stores - Sanctions Hit Russia

Created: 03/08/2022, 10:42 am

By: Patricia Huber

A Russian grocery store points out that the quantity for in-demand products has been restricted.

© Igor Russak/dpa

The sanctions against Russia are now taking full effect.

The Ukraine war resulted in the withdrawal of many companies and empty supermarket shelves.

Moscow - People in Russia are increasingly having to adapt to restrictions in their daily lives.

Because the sanctions that were imposed as a result of the Ukraine war* are becoming more and more noticeable.

More and more western companies are closing down their business in the country.

Including the really big ones like H&M, Ikea or Apple*.

The auto industry is also pulling the emergency brake.

Among other things, Volkswagen and Mercedes have stopped deliveries to Russia.

In addition, VW, Hyundai and Renault have stopped production at the Russian plants.

War in Ukraine: Investors in Russian bonds also hit hard

But not only the Russians themselves are affected, investors are also struggling now.

Because Vladimir Putin* has ordered interest payments on Russian bonds to be paid out only in rubles.

This is reported by the

.

However, if you don't live in Russia, you can't really do much with the ruble.

In addition, the ruble continues to fall and is now at a record low.

More and more people want to protect themselves and stock up on cash because of the sanctions against the big Russian banks.

Apple Pay and Google Pay have also suspended their services in the country.

Just like the US credit giants Mastercard, Visa and American Express.

Cards issued in Russia would no longer work outside the country, the companies said over the weekend.

According to their own statements, Russian banks want to switch to the Chinese UnionPay system.

Ukraine War: Empty shelves in Russia's supermarkets

The effects of the sanctions are most evident when looking at Russian supermarkets.

Empty shelves are no longer a rarity there.

The first groceries are already being rationed and many imported products are missing.

According to the Russian Ministry of Commerce, there have already been cases where groceries were bought "in a much larger quantity than required for private consumption (up to several tons)".

These were intended “for subsequent resale”.

That's why the government supports "initiatives" by trade organizations that want to introduce volume restrictions on the sale of staple foods to consumers.