Hundreds Of Bars Dump Their Russian Vodka In Show Of Solidarity With Ukraine

Hundreds of bars and shops are dumping their Russian vodka in solidarity with Ukraine.

Last week, Russian president Vladimir Putin declared war on the neighbouring country, sending thousands of troops over the border and ordering air strikes on a number of cities.

Forces are now attempting to make their advance to the capital of Kyiv, with countless violent battles reported on the outskirts of the city.

And earlier today, Putin escalated things further, ordering the Russian defence minister and the chief of the military’s General Staff to put the nuclear deterrent forces in a 'special regime of combat duty'.

But since news of the invasion broke, people across the world have been trying to show their support for the Ukrainian people, whether that's by sending money to help with humanitarian aid charities or marching through the streets of London and St Petersburg.

But others have even taken to pouring away gallons of Russian vodka and boycotting their products, with bosses at stores in Canada saying they are removing Russian spirits from their shelves completely.

In Ontario, the Liquor Control Board Of Ontario was ordered to withdraw all Russian products, including Russian Standard Original Vodka, Beluga Noble Russian Vodka and Stoli Vodka.

Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said in a statement: "Ontario joins Canada's allies in condemning the Russian government's act of aggression against the Ukrainian people and we strongly support the federal government's efforts to sanction the Russian government.

"The people of Ontario will always stand against tyranny and oppression."

Across the border, in the US, a liquor stores in Wichita, Kansas, pulled over 100 bottles of vodka.

Jamie Stratton is the wine director at Jacob Liquor Exchange. He told KSNW-TV: "I think the whole world knows by now that Russia's at war with Ukraine for no apparent reason. 

"I guess this is our sanction … and this may be small, but every small thing makes a difference."

Numerous videos have also circulated online showing people emptying bottles down the drain and into the sink.

Staff at Evel Pie pizzeria in Las Vegas are trying to raise money for humanitarian aid charities supporting people in Ukraine by asking customers to pay $300 to have their bottle of Russian vodka poured away.

Footage shared in their Facebook page shows numerous bottles being emptied.

The restaurant is also selling Ukrainian-made vodka, with '100 percent of the profits going to the International Committee of the Red Cross'.

Bill McCormick owns Pine Tavern in Oregon.

He recorded himself emptying his Russian vodka into the street.

Speaking to KTVZ about the move, Mr McCormick said: "Russia is acting as though it's 1939 and going into Europe with a full force that they have in the Ukraine.

"I am so concerned about it metastasizing into other countries."

A bar worker at the Black Line Tavern in Vermont also posted a video of them pouring a full bottle of Stoli down the drain.

He said: "Sorry, we don't serve Russian products here."

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.