Activists urging boycott on 22 August 2013 in response to Russia's blockade of Ukrainian goods
The campaign began as a response to a series ofeconomic wars launched by Russia against Ukraine, including the "Meat War", the "Cheese War", and the "Chocolate War".[1] On 14 August 2013, theFederal Customs Service of Russia listed all Ukrainianexporters as companies "at risk", resulting in ablockade of Ukrainian productsimported to Russia.[2] A backup developed atcustoms involving hundreds of truckloads and railcars of Ukrainian goods.[3]
Flash mob in aKyiv supermarket on 15 March 2014Activists display a banner urging a boycott of Russian gasoline on 29 May 2014.Boycott campaign stickers used to write "ПТН X̆ЛО" (abbreviation of "Putin khuilo!") inBrovary. 22 June 2014
On 2 March 2014, activists usedsocial networks to announce the renewal of the boycott on any goods and services that benefit Russian companies. The intention was to keep Ukrainian money from going to Russia where it could be used to support the Russian military.[10] The boycott was launched in response to theCrimean crisis and theRussian military intervention in Ukraine.[11][12]
By April 2014, some Russian manufacturers changed theirbarcodes from Russian to Ukrainian.[23] TitledBoycott Invaders, anAndroidapp was developed to identify products from Russia, including those disguising their origin.[9][10][24]
In the summer of 2014, activists inKyiv began organizing more flash mobs[25] and other demonstrations[26] in Russian restaurants and coffeehouses.
Towards the end of August 2014, activists started a campaign called "Boycott Russian Films" against Russian movies and serials on Ukrainian media space.[27][28]
Andriy Dlihach, CEO of the "Advanter Group", urged consumers not to boycott Russian products, but to concentrate on buying Ukrainian goods instead.[29]
On August 19, 2015, activists of the "Vidsich" movement threatened to launch a campaign to boycottNestlé during a rally near the corporation's office in Kyiv. A discrimination case against aUkrainian-speaking journalist who was not hired because of language requirements sparked the campaign.[30][31] Activists also criticized that Nestlé still sold products manufactured by Russia in Ukraine.[32] In September, flash mobs called "Russian Kills!" took place in Kyiv against these products.[33]
The US Department of State added many Russian banks to its sanction list on 24 February 2023 in response to its aggression toward Ukraine.[37] SWIFT, a key messaging tool for financial trading, has disconnected Russia from its services as well.[38] Sanctions have caused Russians to rely on their currency and experience long lines at ATM machines. No runs on banks have been reported. Those who rely on international travel have experienced inconvenience over the sanctions. Russian issued credit cards by Visa and Mastercard do not work. They rely on Mir.[38]
Sales of Russian goods in Ukraine decreased by 35–50% in the spring of 2014.[39][40] In May 2014, Ukrainian supermarkets began to abandon the procurement of Russian goods. Delivery of goods from Russia fell by a third.[41]
In April 2014, it was reported that producers from the Russian Federation were changing Russian barcodes withbarcodes of other countries, in an effort to circumvent the boycott.[42] Moreover, several instances of illegal masking of Russian products were found in some Ukrainian supermarkets.[43][44][45]
From January to May 2014, according toStandard & Poor's ratings, banks with Russian capital in Ukraine lost more than 50% of their deposits.[46]
According to comparison test of RussianTV series watching ratings in Ukraine for 2013 (sample byGfK) and for 2014 (sample byNielsen), total ratings dropped by a third.[47]
As of mid of May 2014, it is known that Ukrainian supermarkets have started to massively abandon purchases of Russian goods. Supply amounts from Russian Federation decreased by a third.[48]
According toTaylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) Internet research in Ukraine, in March–April 2014, 52% of Ukrainians were positive or "rather positive" about the boycott of Russian products. According to the survey, 39% of Ukrainians were involved in the boycott.[49] A further survey campaign revealed that from July to August 2014, support for the boycott increased from 52% to 57%, and participation in the boycott increased from 40% to 46% of the population.[50] According to data reported byTSN, in September 2014, 50% of Ukrainians had joined the boycott.[51]
The boycott was not supported by Ukrainian retail offices ofAuchan Ukraine andMetro Cash and Carry. The companies explained that this was due to their apolitical vision.[52]
Ukrainian and Russian-speaking blogger Danylo Vakhovskyi said that he consciously uses Russian internet services and will continue to do so, because it is a way to support "the creation of a favorable environment for entrepreneurship" in Russia. Vakhovskyi admitted that such usage was "not patriotic", but still considered his support of entrepreneurs as providing opportunities to change the world for the better.[53]
