The Universal Music Group, amid the events in Ukraine, has suspended its activities in Russia.

At the same time, the organization will continue to pay salaries to its employees for an indefinite period of time.

“From now on, we are suspending all operations in Russia and closing our offices there,” Universal Music Group said in a statement.

The company cooperates with more than 50 Russian artists and musical groups.

Among them are Aljay, Anna Asti, Noize MC, Lolita, IOWA, Thomas Mraz, Nike Borzov and many others.

According to Variety, all three major music labels - Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group - have subsidiaries in Russia.

The last two have not yet made official statements about their status in the country, but information is expected to appear within two days.

Earlier it also became known that the British author's society PRS for Music ceased cooperation with RAO "until it is confirmed that it is not associated with the Russian authorities."

A similar decision was made by the American copyright protection company Broadcast Music Incorporated - it suspended all payments to RAO.

In early March, the popular music service Spotify closed its office in Russia.

At the same time, the platform continued to work in the country.

However, due to restrictions related to the functioning of payment providers, the company decided to cancel the Premium subscription in Russia.

The streaming service Netflix is ​​also suspending its work in the country.

Current user subscriptions will be canceled at the end of the paid term.

Earlier, the company announced its refusal to broadcast 20 domestic free-of-charge federal TV channels and to stop the production of Russian projects.

Among them are the series “Anna K” based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy, “ZATO” and “Nothing Special”, as well as a tape with Alexander Petrov that has not yet been named.

  • My Chemical Romance

  • AP

  • © Tom Hevezi

Meanwhile, the American rock band My Chemical Romance announced the cancellation of their performances in Russia and Ukraine in 2022.

“It is with deep regret that My Chemical Romance cancels its concerts in Ukraine and Russia scheduled for June 2022.

We hope to be able to perform there for our fans soon," the band said in a Twitter statement.

In Russia, the artists planned to play at the Park Live music festival.

Previously, Iron Maiden, The Killers, Placebo, Biffy Clyro, Slipknot and Iggy Pop refused to participate in the show.

The festival program on the official website still lists Sum 41, Gorillaz, Limp Bizkit, Bullet for My Valentine and other artists.

Imagine Dragons have canceled their 2022 concert in Russia "until further notice".

Also, the show of the British singer, ex-soloist of the popular One Direction band Louis Tomlinson and the American punk rock band Green Day, who noted that "now there is no time for stadium rock concerts and there are things much more important," will not take place.

In addition, Twenty One Pilots, Bring Me The Horizon and Franz Ferdinand, as well as Rammstein leader Till Lindemann, announced their refusal to perform in Russia.

At the same time, against the backdrop of events in Ukraine, Russian musician Valery Gergiev lost his post as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.

New York's Carnegie Hall, in turn, canceled two Mariinsky performances that Gergiev was supposed to direct.

The Bavarian State Opera refused to cooperate with the artist, as well as with the opera singer Anna Netrebko, due to their “insufficient distancing”.

At the end of February, the European Broadcasting Union reported that musicians from Russia in 2022 will not be able to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The adoption of such a measure was previously demanded by the Finnish and Swedish broadcasters in connection with the conduct of a military special operation in Ukraine.

“This decision reflects the concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of Russia in this year’s competition list will undermine the reputation of the event,” the European Broadcasting Union said.

At the same time, the company emphasized that "the EBU is a non-political affiliate of broadcasters committed to protecting the values ​​of public service."