Microsoft and IBM Engineers Call on Businesses to Support Ukraine’s Digital Blockade of Russia

Microsoft’s “Keep the Lights On” Policy Sparks Outrage in Kiev and Beyond

What the Big Tech Mind Brought Home

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s prez‑in‑charge, just pressed a note to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. He made it crystal clear: “We’re not shutting down all our ops in Russia just yet.” The company plans to continue serving “non‑sanctioned” clients—including schools and hospitals—by rolling out software updates and support.

“If schools and hospitals run out of software, we’re basically letting kids and the elderly walk around in the dark,” Smith warned. He added that Microsoft is “mindful of the moral responsibility” to civilians, while saying it will sit with US, UK, and EU governments to decide if shrinking services to Russia is needed.

Employees Take a Stand

Inside Microsoft, SAP, and IBM, a handful of workers on forums are calling for a total retreat from Russia—no more new sales and a full halt to any service to Russian businesses.
These voices echo Kiev’s own demands, pushing their companies to make larger economic dents in Moscow.
IBM, for all its claims of stopping work with Russian firms worldwide, stopped short of deleting job contracts or firing remote staff.
SAP sounds more gospel‑like: “We’re going beyond what governments request and we’re happy about new sanctions that are in the works.”

Why It’s a Rough‑Road for Russia

While the firms haven’t pulled out completely—staff are still paid, phones stay on, and the company’s names continue to appear on the street—athundering pressure from both Ukrainian leadership and the employees themselves looms heavy.

Vlad’s Sharp Reply from the Kremlin

A Kremlin spokesperson tossed a non‑committal statement: “Some companies are leaving, others staying. New ones will come in their place.” He also dismissed Senate‑livened rumors that prosecutors threatened arrests for staff who halt production of essential goods.

And the Bottom Line

Microsoft’s letter is first in a line of moves that keeps critics scratching their heads. Wedged between global sanctions, a moral compass, and a chorus of discontented employees, it seems like the future of tech business in Russia is a tight‑rope walk that could see a full exit—or not—depending on how much pressure can be built.

Ukraine’s Digital Blockade Gets a Second Wind

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Vice‑Prime Minister and chief crusader for the “digital embargo,” has just announced a bold new push: the complete exit of tech giants from Russia. The latest wave of corporate exodus has already included payment‑processor pioneers and web‑dev toolmakers—but Fedorov wants nothing less than a full‑scale retreat.

What’s the Fallout?

Russia feels the heat already—companies are leaving, citing sanctions and moral pressure.
Cabinet police reports say a “huge number” of Russian firms depend on SAP software, covering heavy hitters like banks and energy firms.
While SAP claims it stays fully compliant with sanctions, Ukraine’s office tells Reuters the company must cut ties, one call on March 18 says.

Cyber‑Crisis with the Software Giant

Fedorov’s tweet on Friday cited an ear‑to‑the‑ground conversation with SAP’s CEO, Christian Klein. “They’re gradually stepping back, one product at a time,” he wrote. A day earlier, SAP announced the shuttering of its tiny Russian cloud arm.

In a letter sent to Russian customers March 23, SAP asked them how to handle data—delete, hand back, or move out of Russia. The company confirmed the letter, but kept the rest hush‑hush.

IBM’s Own War‑Time Dilemma

Hundreds of IBM workers voiced anger at the company’s response to Russia’s invasion.
CEO Arvind Krishna hissed a March 3 post—“Suspend sales in Russia and condemn the war!” then escalated on March 7 to a full business stop in Moscow.
Despite a heavy corporate stance, IBM still supports Russian Railways after the U.S. sanctions a week earlier—though some say the train company can keep running for years without support.

Microsoft’s Muddled Morals

Some Microsoft workers demanded a complete exit, threatening resignation if the company stayed. Others worried that removing support might put innocent civilians in danger. As a result, the frontline tech company remains uncertain and has declined to comment further.

So, Why All the Ruckus?

It’s a picture of giant tech companies wrestling with their own conscience, corporate policies, and the impact of economic sanctions. The competing messages—“stop the war” versus “protect civilians”—make every CEO’s inbox a hectic warzone.

Will Ukraine slam all the tech giants into role‑model stripping? Only time will tell, but one thing’s clear: the digital blockade is getting spicy, and every script is being rewritten in the headline style of real‑world impact.