A Rise In Hate Toward Russian Businesses In The U.S.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There’s a new rise in threats made against Russian businesses in the U.S. in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A Russian-themed restaurant in Chicago says it’s getting threatening comments and one-star reviews from people who have never even stepped inside. Russian Tea Time has been clear it stands with Ukraine, flying a flag outside its building and denouncing the invasion online. But they’re still getting messages like “death to Russia” and “this place is a dump, get out of Ukraine.”

Russian Tea Time owner Vadim Muchnik says, “We have received a lot of aggressive, almost threatening, messages online as well as phone calls. A waitress whose mother is hiding in a bomb shelter in Kyiv, she hasn’t talked to her for days.” Muchnik founded the restaurant, which serves a blend of eastern European food, with his mother in 1993. He was born in Uzbekistan. She was born in Ukraine.

And in New York, the owner of a restaurant named Russian Samovar says she’s seen hate mail, nasty phone calls, and a drop in business. But the owner says she supports Ukraine and is holding fundraisers to help Ukrainians.

Our question of the night: is the anger toward Russian businesses in the U.S. misplaced?

This episode’s panel features:
WCCB TV’s Morgan Fogarty
WCCB News Edge contributor Ashley Anderson
WCCB TV’s Zach Aldridge