Cyberpunk publisher CD Projekt halts sales to Russia over Ukraine invasion

One day after Ukraine’s deputy prime minister urged gaming companies to pull out of Russian markets, CD Projekt Group — arguably the region’s most influential game company — has taken action. The Publisher of Cyberpunk 2077The Witcher Series and The Witcher announcedThat it would discontinue selling its products in Russia or Belarus.

“In light of the Russian military invasion of our neighboring country of Ukraine,” the company said in a statement published on Twitter, “until further notice the CD Projekt Group has made the decision to halt all sales of our games to Russia and Belarus.”

Now in its second week of operation, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has left thousands dead and more than a million people fleeing to central Europe. This unprovoked invasion has drawn international condemnation and increased financial restrictions for Russia and its wealthy oligarchs. Major corporations such as Shell, BP and Apple have made efforts to halt operations in the area. Developers of games are now doing everything in their power to help.

CD Projekt stated that they would no longer ship physical stock to Russia or Belarus and that they would also stop selling digital games there. GOG is the company’s own online platform.

“The entire CD Projekt Group stands firm with the people of Ukraine,” the company said. “While we are not a political entity capable of directly influencing state matters, and don’t aspire to be one, we do believe that commercial entities, when united, have the power to inspire global change in the hearts and minds of ordinary people. We know that players in Russia and Belarus, individuals who have nothing to do with the invasion of Ukraine, will be impacted by this decision, but with this action we wish to further galvanize the global community to speak about what is going on in the heart of Europe.”

CD Projekt has its headquarters in Warsaw. Poland shares a border between Ukraine and Belarus. Vox reports that more than 280,000 Ukrainians have fled to Poland for refuge. Many of these refugees were taken in by ordinary Polish citizens. The Polish government is sending weapons into Ukraine, as well as many other European and global governments.

“To our brothers and sisters fighting for their home country,” CD Projekt said, “stay strong!” The company then added the traditional Ukrainian salute of Слава Україні, which translates to “Glory to Ukraine.”