// Lego is closing its business in Russia indefinitely and laying off its 90 Moscow-based employees
// The toymaker will end its partnership with Inventive Retail Group which runs 81 shops on Lego’s behalf
Lego has said it will stop operating in Russia indefinitely due to “continued extensive disruption”, Sky News has reported.
The Danish toymaking giant stopped delivering products to Russia in March following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, however its stores remained open as most rival retailers pulled out.
Lego said it would now end its partnership with Inventive Retail Group which runs 81 shops on Lego’s behalf.
A spokeswoman for Lego said: “When the Lego Group stopped shipments to Russia in early March, we also ceased all commercial activity and put almost all our employees on extended leave.”
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The company said it was cutting most of its Moscow-based team, and some 90 Moscow workers will be laid off, according to Reuters although the business said it has “provided 70 employees with financial packages to support them as they look for new opportunities”.
Unlike a number of companies who have condemned Russia, Lego has decided not to directly comment on the country’s actions.
In March, Lego said: “Our thoughts are with all the children and families suffering as a result of the war in Ukraine.”
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