Netflix announced Sunday that it was suspending its service in Russia to protest the country’s invasion of Ukraine, which entered its 11th day, Variety reported.
The streaming service escalated its actions against Russia after announcing earlier this week that it was suspending all future projects and acquisitions from the country, according to the BBC.
Netflix had four Russian original programs in the works, including a crime thriller series directed by Dasha Zhuk, according to Variety. That shooting, along with the other projects, has been put on hold.
Netflix Suspends Service in Russia Amid Invasion of Ukraine https://t.co/ZAWM0yLBdh
— Variety (@Variety) March 6, 2022
“Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service in Russia,” a spokesperson for Netflix told the entertainment outlet.
Netflix also stopped production on a temporary retelling of “Anna Karenina,” the streaming service’s first original Russian series, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Netflix also recently refused to carry 20 Russian free-to-air propaganda channels that it was required to show under Russian law, according to Variety.
Netflix launched its service in Russia in 2016 and has less than a million subscribers, according to Variety. Worldwide, the streaming service has 222 million subscribers.
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