AP PHOTOS: Russian malls half-empty after Western firms exit
St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Spasskaya Tower are reflected in a window of an almost empty and dark Burberry boutique, closed due to sanctions, inside the GUM department store in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A notice on the glass-door warns that the store is closed due to technical problems, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
People sit in a street cafe along the coast of the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, June 1, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
People walk along the coast of the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022, with the Business Tower Lakhta Centre, the headquarters of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom in the background. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
Few visitors pass inside the GUM department store with lots of boutiques closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
People walk past a Zara shop closed due to sanctions in a shopping mall in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
Visitors with their children walk inside the GUM department store with a Dior boutique closed due to sanctions along an installation of a history of cycling in Russia, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A young man plays guitar as other applicants to the Moscow Art Theatre School wait for their turn at an admission exam gather in front of a closed due to sanctions Starbucks street cafe, in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 2, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Visitors walk past a Nespresso shop closed due to sanctions in a shopping mall in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A food delivery man rides a scooter along a Louvre boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A woman walks at an almost empty shopping center with many shops closed due to sanctions, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A woman sits looking at her smartphone in front of shops closed due to sanctions in a mall in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, June 1, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A visitor looks at an empty “Samsonite”, suitcases and bags shop closed due to sanctions in a store in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A visitor walks inside the GUM department store with a Dior boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Pedestrians walking in a street are reflected in a window of the GUM department store with a Louis Vuitton boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A food delivery man rides a bicycle along the GUM department store with a Cartier boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Spasskaya Tower are reflected in a window of an almost empty and dark Burberry boutique, closed due to sanctions, inside the GUM department store in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Spasskaya Tower are reflected in a window of an almost empty and dark Burberry boutique, closed due to sanctions, inside the GUM department store in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A notice on the glass-door warns that the store is closed due to technical problems, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A notice on the glass-door warns that the store is closed due to technical problems, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
People sit in a street cafe along the coast of the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, June 1, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
People sit in a street cafe along the coast of the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, June 1, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
People walk along the coast of the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022, with the Business Tower Lakhta Centre, the headquarters of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom in the background. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
People walk along the coast of the Gulf of Finland in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022, with the Business Tower Lakhta Centre, the headquarters of Russian gas monopoly Gazprom in the background. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
Few visitors pass inside the GUM department store with lots of boutiques closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Few visitors pass inside the GUM department store with lots of boutiques closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
People walk past a Zara shop closed due to sanctions in a shopping mall in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
People walk past a Zara shop closed due to sanctions in a shopping mall in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
Visitors with their children walk inside the GUM department store with a Dior boutique closed due to sanctions along an installation of a history of cycling in Russia, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Visitors with their children walk inside the GUM department store with a Dior boutique closed due to sanctions along an installation of a history of cycling in Russia, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A young man plays guitar as other applicants to the Moscow Art Theatre School wait for their turn at an admission exam gather in front of a closed due to sanctions Starbucks street cafe, in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 2, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A young man plays guitar as other applicants to the Moscow Art Theatre School wait for their turn at an admission exam gather in front of a closed due to sanctions Starbucks street cafe, in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, June 2, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Visitors walk past a Nespresso shop closed due to sanctions in a shopping mall in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
Visitors walk past a Nespresso shop closed due to sanctions in a shopping mall in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A food delivery man rides a scooter along a Louvre boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A food delivery man rides a scooter along a Louvre boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A woman walks at an almost empty shopping center with many shops closed due to sanctions, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A woman walks at an almost empty shopping center with many shops closed due to sanctions, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A woman sits looking at her smartphone in front of shops closed due to sanctions in a mall in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, June 1, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A woman sits looking at her smartphone in front of shops closed due to sanctions in a mall in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, June 1, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A visitor looks at an empty “Samsonite”, suitcases and bags shop closed due to sanctions in a store in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A visitor looks at an empty “Samsonite”, suitcases and bags shop closed due to sanctions in a store in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
A visitor walks inside the GUM department store with a Dior boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A visitor walks inside the GUM department store with a Dior boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Many Western retailers have left Russia after the start of a military action in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Pedestrians walking in a street are reflected in a window of the GUM department store with a Louis Vuitton boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Pedestrians walking in a street are reflected in a window of the GUM department store with a Louis Vuitton boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A food delivery man rides a bicycle along the GUM department store with a Cartier boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
A food delivery man rides a bicycle along the GUM department store with a Cartier boutique closed due to sanctions in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 31, 2022. As Russia’s military operation in Ukraine is entering its 100-day anniversary, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal, even as many Western retailers have left Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Life in Moscow and St. Petersburg remains largely normal as Russia’s military operation in Ukraine enters its 15th week.
People are out and about, enjoying the first rays of late spring sun; restaurants are full, and most seem to have forgotten about the panic that created long lines in front of ATMs and grocery stores in February and March.
However, some changes are visible – mostly those prompted by Western sanctions and a massive, unprecedented pullout of Western businesses that had become entrenched in the landscape of Russia’s daily life over three decades.
Dozens of foreign and international companies have withdrawn from the country, leaving behind half-empty malls and closed doors in places that once buzzed with customers. Popular clothing brands, both luxurious and affordable, coffee and fast-food chains became unavailable to many Russians.
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