Netflix, the world's largest premium streaming service, has confirmed to multiple media outlets that it has temporarily shut down operations in Russia amid Russia's intensifying invasion of Ukraine.

Netflix doesn't break out subscriber numbers by country, but it has less than 1 million customers in Russia, according to Bloomberg, which noted that Russians can no longer sign up for Netflix and that existing customers are expected to "lose access in the coming days and weeks."

Netflix ended 2021 with 74.04 million subscribers in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region after adding 3.54 million subs in the fourth quarter of last year. Netflix ended 2021 with 221.84 million subs worldwide.

Figure 1: The Netflix headquarters building in Los Angeles.
(Source: Netflix)

Netflix's latest move in Russia comes about a week after the streaming service announced it would not carry 20 Russian free-to-air propaganda channels that the company was reportedly required to provide under Russian law. According to Variety, Netflix also paused four Russian original series indefinitely.

"Given the circumstances on the ground, we have decided to suspend our service in Russia," Netflix said in a statement given to multiple publications. The company did not elaborate on what will happen to existing Russian accounts, Bloomberg said. Netflix launched an international service in Russia in 2016 and followed up more than a year ago with the debut of a localized Russian version of its platform through a partnership with National Media Group.

The decision follows a string of similar moves by western media and tech companies, including Apple, Microsoft and Dell, to suspend or terminate business in Russia as the invasion continues. Cogent reportedly told its Russian telecom customers last week that it was terminating services on March 4.

Prior to the decision to suspend operations in Russia, Netflix touted on Twitter that viewing of its 2015 documentary Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom had seen a surge in viewing, including among subs in Russia:

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— Jeff Baumgartner, Senior Editor, Light Reading