Airbnb is suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus, CEO says

• Airbnb has said it will suspend all operations in Russia and Belarus following the invasion of neighbouring Ukraine last week.
• Russia currently has 90,000 active short-term rentals available on Airbnb, according to market research firm AirDNA.
• Brian Chesky, the company’s chief executive and founder, said earlier this week that the company would house 100,000 Ukrainians forced to flee their homes due to the fighting, adding that it would waive all fees on bookings in the country.
• Separately, users of Airbnb have started to book rentals in Ukraine as a gesture of financial support for the country’s embattled citizens – despite not intending to travel there.

 

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