Morrisons bans sale of Russian vodka across all stores

Morrisons has pulled all Russian-made vodka from its shelves in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The supermarket chain has said it would de-list the Russian Standard brand of the drink, with a spokesperson saying: “We have taken action on our vodka lines including de-listing Russian Standard.

“The product is longer available on our website and no further stock will be bought.”

Co Op has also withdrawn all Russian-made vodka from its shelves, with a spokesperson explaining: “In response to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces and as a sign of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, we’ve taken the decision to remove from sale Russian-made vodka.”

They added the action was taken as the brand was ‘overtly marketed as being Russian’ and is produced in the country.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put increasing pressure on Russian brands, with a number of them being dropped and boycotted by supermarkets and hospitality venues across the world. 

This week, pub chain JD Wetherspoons announced that it would no longer be selling Russian beer, saying that bottles of Baltika Lager – which is brewed in Vladimir Putin’s home city of St. Petersburg – would be pulled from shelves in all of its pubs across the UK. 

Arc Inspirations, which owns and operates Manchester venues such as Box, Manahatta and Banyan, announced earlier this week that Russian vodka will no longer be poured in any of its bars.

Sharing its announcement on Twitter, Arc Inspirations wrote: “To show our support to the people of Ukraine we will no longer be pouring any Russian vodka in any of our bars. #standwithukraine”.

Half of Europe, a nightlife advocacy network for eastern Europe, also urged nightlife businesses and policy-makers to boycott Russian drinks and to decline any invitations to perform in Russia.