Ukraine War: Russians Make Last McDonald's Orders as Burger Giant Leaves Country

(Image used for representational purposes only)

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/McDonalds)

As a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, some Russian people reportedly ordered their last McDonald's burgers in a Moscow train station, Reuters reported on Tuesday, 17 May.

The McDonald's at the train station is one of the few branches still open in the country after most of them shut down due to Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine.

The Chicago-based company, on Monday, put out a statement that said that it was in the process to sell hundreds of its restaurants in Russia.

"The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, and the precipitating unpredictable operating environment, have led McDonald's to conclude that continued ownership of the business in Russia is no longer tenable," a part of the statement read.

McDonald's is shutting shop in Russia after more than 30 years, becoming one of the biggest global brands to leave following Moscow's actions in Ukraine.

The exit marks a huge development in the company's history that began in Russia in 1990 (when it was still a part of the Soviet Union but was opening up under Mikhail Gorbachev) as a symbol of American capitalism.

Around 84 percent of its almost 850 restaurants will be sold to a local buyer who will not be permitted to use the McDonald's name, logo, branding, and menu.

"McDonald's operates in only a few places now," 32-year-old Irina was quoted as saying by Reuters.

"I miss McDonald's, so when I go to St Petersburg, I drop by and treat myself to a Big Mac," she added.

Other stories are emerging of people travelling long distances for a McDonald's meal.

"I came to this McDonald's especially from Samara, only 250 km," one person wrote online. "I remembered the atmosphere and happily dived into it. The food and burgers are just as tasty and flavourful," he said. "Thank you for being relatively close by."

(With inputs from Reuters and Deutsche Welle)