A family-run retail chain with shops across Greater Manchester has pulled bottles of Russian vodka from its shelves.
Sasi Patel, his relatives and business partner Anil Velji own and manage Go Local Extra which has two shops in Rochdale and others in Bury, Bacup and Ashton.
Sasi, 47, said he had taken the action specifically to support the people of Ukraine 'in the name of peace'.
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"We decided as a family to removed the Russian standard brand because it is state-owned," said Sasi.
He said there were other brands of Russian vodka which are tanked and bottled in the UK. Sasi has agreed to continue selling those provided they make a donation to the Ukrainian fund to help victims of the war.
However, in a further development today, Sasi said he had been informed that the company J J Whitley, which currently refines the vodka in Russia, is moving its production to Chorley in Lancashire from April as a direct result of Ukraine conflict.
Sasi also said funds raised from the sale of carrier bags which normally go to local hospices and schools would be diverted to the Ukrainian fund in the short term.
"No-one can see what is taking place in Ukraine and fail to be touched by it," he said. "What the Russians are doing there is appalling. I feel it is our moral duty to do everything we can to discourage the atrocities, no matter how small."
Two other supermarket chains - Morrisons and the Co-op - have also removed vodka from their shelves.
Russian vodka has also been banned by Marco Pierre White's upmarket London steakhouses in a show of support for the people of Ukraine.
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