"Red Bull gives Putin wings": Energy drink manufacturer has to take massive criticism for Russia business
Created: 2022-11-26 06:39
By: Patricia Huber
Pro-Ukrainian activists protested in front of the Red Bull headquarters with a large banner.
© Screenshot Twitter @SolidarityUKR
A pro-Ukrainian activist group has caused a stir in front of the Red Bull headquarters.
There is a large banner criticizing the company's business in Russia.
Fuschl am See – The Austrian energy drink manufacturer Red Bull is not only very successful in German-speaking countries.
The company now employs 13,000 people in 172 countries.
The drink continues to be sold in Russia as well.
Many companies have completely withdrawn from the country as a result of the Ukraine war - but not Red Bull.
Red Bull: Ukraine activists stretch protest banners in front of company headquarters
The drinks producer has stopped all marketing campaigns in Russia and is no longer investing there, but the income is still bubbling up.
This prompted the pro-Ukrainian activist group “Ukraine Solidarity Project” to stage a major protest.
In front of the Red Bull company headquarters in Fuschl am See, Austria, they stretched what they say is a 400 square meter banner.
It features Russia's President Vladimir Putin riding the famous red bull from the company's logo.
"Red Bull gives Putin wings" can be read above the logo in English.
The activists share pictures and videos of their action on Twitter.
They write: "Red Bull doesn't want anyone to talk about how they still do business in Putin's Russia.
So we came to their headquarters to launch a new, honest Red Bull advertising campaign.”
Protest against Russia deals: "Putin's war not an obstacle to profits"
A dedicated website was also created for the protest action.
It also read: "By deciding to sell Red Bull in supermarkets across Russia, the company's bosses are signaling that they are happy to continue paying taxes to the Kremlin regime and that Putin's war is not an obstacle to their profits." In addition, the Red Bull athletes are also asked to comment on the subject.
The beverage manufacturer has not yet commented on the protest, reports
Der Spiegel
.
According to the activists, a request for an on-site meeting was also rejected.
(ph)
