Airbnb is the most recent firm to sever ties with Russia because the nation continues its lethal invasion into Ukraine. The corporate's CEO, Brian Chesky, introduced late Thursday evening that Airbnb is suspending "all operations in Russia," in addition to the nation's shut ally Belarus.
The announcement got here as Russian forces attacked the Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy plant in Energodar, sparking a fireplace. The hearth and shelling on the web site prompted fears of a Chernobyl-like emergency, as Ukrainian officers mentioned that Russian troops have been stopping firefighters from extinguishing the flames. After just a few hours, Russian forces seized the plant and the fireplace was extinguished.
Earlier this week, Airbnb introduced that its group, Airbnb.org, is planning to assist shelter as much as 100,000 individuals who've fled Ukraine due to the invasion. The corporate mentioned it should provide housing for as much as two weeks at no cost. Airbnb provided related support to Afghans who have been compelled to evacuate their houses in the course of the Taliban takeover final fall.
Many individuals have additionally tweeted that they're reserving Airbnbs in Ukraine, with no intention of staying in them. These doing so say it's to supply direct monetary help to individuals enduring the invasion.
"Feeling helpless, I guide an Airbnb in Kiev for a keep this week figuring out the cash would go direct to somebody there," one individual tweeted. "There have been no air bnb charges connected."
The response to that individual's reserving, in response to screenshots from the Airbnb app she tweeted, was "the world just isn't with out good individuals."
"I've tears in my eyes and I cry with happiness within the first of those horrible days," the host of the house seems to say. "...I will likely be blissful to hug you after we meet in peacetime."