Foreign companies that left Russia after the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine are now cautiously discussing a possible return. However, some never left. More than 11,000 Western-owned companies continue to operate in Russia, contributing an estimated $5 billion in annual tax payments to the Kremlin, The Insider has tallied. The countries with the most companies still active in Russia are the United States and Germany. Yet none of these businesses — nor any of the other foreign firms that have profited from the war — are in a hurry to devote their earnings towards Ukraine’s ongoing self-defense.

Foreign companies that left Russia after the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine are now cautiously discussing a possible return. However, some never left. More than 11,000 Western-owned companies continue to operate in Russia, contributing an estimated $5 billion in annual tax payments to the Kremlin, The Insider has tallied. The countries with the most companies still active in Russia are the United States and Germany. Yet none of these businesses — nor any of the other foreign firms that have profited from the war — are in a hurry to devote their earnings towards Ukraine’s ongoing self-defense.