Wargaming , the Belarusian study responsible for titles such as World of Tanks or World of Warships , has announced the cessation of its operations in the countries of Russia and Belarus. The news, presented today through a statement on its website, explains that “During the last weeks, Wargaming has been conducting a strategic review of commercial operations around the world” and “will not have any business” in any of the two countries. At the moment we know that they have already begun the process of closing their study in Minsk, the Belarusian capital.
«As of March 31, the company transferred its online gaming business in Russia and Belarus to local management of LESTA Studio, which is no longer affiliated with Wargaming. The company will not benefit from this process or today or in the future. On the contrary, we hope to suffer substantial losses as a direct result of this decision ».
As explained, this transition will be carried out “fulfilling all laws and guaranteeing the safety and support of our employees,” and they explain that they will offer “all possible compensation and aid” to the workers affected by this change. In addition, its products will continue to be available in both countries, operated by the new owner.
Although in the statement they do not make specific mentions, it seems clear that it is due to the conflict that is happening in Ukraine. In fact, last month we knew that Wargaming dismissed Sergey Burkatovskiy, creative director of World of Tanks, after he publicly supported Russian invasion. The company pointed out that Burkatovskiy’s opinion “is in total contradiction” with the ideals of Wargaming.