Bulletins

Airbnb is suspending operations in Russia and Belarus

Brian Chesky tweeted the news out Thursday evening.

Airbnb logo

Airbnb won't let guests in Russia and Belarus book stays until further notice.

Photo Illustration: Omar Marques/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Airbnb is "suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus," CEO Brian Chesky tweeted Thursday. This means the company will "block calendars from accepting new bookings in both countries until further notice," Axios reported.

Airbnb also told Axios it will restrict users in Russia and Belarus from booking new reservations as guests.


The move comes after last week's announcement that the company will house up to 100,000 people fleeing Ukraine. "We need help to meet this goal," Chesky wrote on Twitter. "The greatest need we have is for more people who can offer their homes in nearby countries, including Poland, Germany, Hungary and Romania."

This isn't the first time Airbnb has responded to global crisis. Last summer, the company provided housing to Afghan refugees as people fled the Taliban in Kabul. Airbnb initially committed to housing 20,000 refugees, but upped that number to 40,000 after it met its goal in in February.

A growing number of tech companies are also shutting down operations in Russia in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. Spotify shut down its Russian office indefinitely, and Apple is halting product sales.

Lizzy Lawrence

Lizzy Lawrence ( @LizzyLaw_) is a reporter at Protocol, covering tools and productivity in the workplace. She's a recent graduate of the University of Michigan, where she studied sociology and international studies. She served as editor in chief of The Michigan Daily, her school's independent newspaper. She's based in D.C., and can be reached at llawrence@protocol.com.

russia-ukraineairbnb
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