IBM winding down Russian operation, laying off employees

(ABC 6 News) – IBM announced its winding down its business in Russia and has started to lay off its employees in the country, according to a memo to staff sent last week.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February, IBM joined hundreds of other companies in suspending business in the country.

Chairman and CEO, Arvind Krishna, sent the following memo to IBMers worldwide on May 30th:

"As the consequences of the war continue to mount and uncertainty about its long-term ramifications grows, we have now made the decision to carry out an orderly wind-down of IBM’s business in Russia. We see this move as both right and necessary, and a natural next step following our business suspension.

This process will commence today and result in the separation of our local workforce. Our colleagues in Russia have, through no fault of their own, endured months of stress and uncertainty. We recognize that this news is difficult, and I want to assure them that IBM will continue to stand by them and take all reasonable steps to provide support and make their transition as orderly as possible."