Business in Russia
Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia has become the most heavily sanctioned major economy on earth. Hundreds of Western companies have wound down, sold off or written off their Russian operations.
The EU, UK and US restrict trade across energy, finance, technology and luxury goods. Firms from McDonald's to BP to Shell exited at steep losses, and later leavers have faced forced discounts and exit levies on the way out. What remains is patchy, legally fraught and reputationally toxic.
Euronomy lists no Russian brands. The point of this site is the opposite: the European alternatives worth buying instead.
Anadolu
Ownership: Anadolu Group (Turkey) — brewed in Turkey; AB InBev holds a 50% stake in the international operations
Known for: Efes Pilsener — Turkey's dominant beer brand and one of the most widely drunk lagers across Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. The most recognisable beer from a historically under-represented brewing region in Europe.
History: Anadolu Efes was founded in 1969 in Istanbul. Efes Pilsener became Turkey's national beer and expanded across a vast geography — from Bulgaria and Russia to Kazakhstan. Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and Efes is the beer that built a brewing industry in a country that was not historically a beer culture. Now one of the largest brewing groups operating in the broader European sphere, with production across multiple countries.
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Clarins
Known for: Premium skincare, Double Serum
Employees: ~8,000
Manufactured in: France
Controversies: Presence in Russia - selling online, operations ongoing
Arçelik
Employees: Around 30,000
Known for: Affordable and reliable washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators under brands like Beko and Grundig.
Website: https://www.arcelikglobal.com
Volvo Cars / Polestar (Owned by China’s Geely)
Brands: Volvo, Polestar, Lynk & Co.
European Manufacturing: Belgium, Sweden (some Volvo models).
Battery Sourcing: CATL (China), LG Chem (Poland), future Northvolt (Sweden).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~40,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Moderate to High – Geely ownership raises data security concerns.
Mazda (Japan)
Brands: Mazda
European Manufacturing: No European presence.
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~650+
Privacy Concerns: Moderate. In May 2025, Mazda resumed deliveries of select models to Russia through its partners.
Ecco
Known for: Danish brand known for premium leather shoes with a focus on comfort and durability.
Employees: ~21,000 globally
Manufacturing: Designed in Denmark, produced in own factories (incl. Portugal, Slovakia, Thailand)
Controversy: Chose to stay in Russia after 2022 invasion, leading to loss of Danish royal warrant and public backlash.
