Airbnb suspends operations in Russia and Belarus

Airbnb is the latest airline to break ties with Russia as the country continues its deadly invasion of Ukraine. The company’s chief executive, Brian Chesky, announced on Thursday night that Airbnb had suspended “all operations in Russia”, as well as the country’s close ally, Belarus.

The announcement came as Russian forces attacked Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Energodar, causing a fire. The fire and bombing at the site feared a Chernobyl-like emergency, as Ukrainian officials said Russian troops were preventing firefighters from putting out the flames. Within hours, Russian forces seized the plant and the fire was extinguished.

Earlier this week, Airbnb announced that its organization, Airbnb.org, plans to help to accommodate up to 100,000 people who have fled Ukraine due to the invasion. The company said it will offer housing for up to two weeks for free. Airbnb offered similar help to Afghans who were forced to evacuate their homes during the Taliban’s takeover last fall.

Many people have also tweeted that they are booking Airbnbs in Ukraine without intending to stay. Those who do say that it is to offer direct financial assistance to the people who support the invasion.

“Feeling helpless, I booked an Airbnb in Kyiv for a stay this week knowing that the money would go directly to someone there,” one person tweeted. “No bnb air commissions attached.”

The answer to this person’s reservation, according to screenshots of the Airbnb app she he tweetedit was “the world is not without good people.”

“I have tears in my eyes and I cry with happiness on the first of these terrible days,” the host of the house seems to say. “… I will be happy to hug you when we are in peacetime.”

In:
• Ukraine
• Russia
• Airbnb