Crimean orcs, trolls, humans and dwarves reported on the Battle.net forum that they had received letters notifying them of the suspension of their accounts.
The letter reads: "In connection with the current trade restrictions against the Crimean region, we have been forced to suspend access to your account. All current subscriptions will be canceled." The letter specifies that access to the accounts will be restored in the event of changes in the international situation and the lifting of sanctions against Russia and the Crimean peninsula.
Social media users were quick to react to the virtual sanctions:
Popular Blizzard games World of Warcraft, Diablo and Starcraft banned in Crimea due to sanctions. http://t.co/21mizhXqyA That'll show 'em!
— Martin Aher (@martinaher) 7 апреля 2015
Full economic embargo is one thing, but cutting off World of Warcraft & Diablo to Crimea, now that's serious http://t.co/3bgaxy2KjX
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) 7 апреля 2015
Can't access #Diablo & #WorldofWarcraft in Crimea, Russia. @BlizzardCS, leave politics alone, gaming is for fun, not? pic.twitter.com/NvPJ5iDUsc
— Sperasoft (@Sperasoft) 7 апреля 2015
The suspension of service also affects Crimean users of the online collectible card game Hearthstone, Diablo III and other Blizzard Entertainment products.
The company has not yet made an official comment over the situation.
In February, Crimean WoW players reported experiencing their first issues with accessing the Battle.net servers.
It’s The End Of The World! World of Warcraft – Diablo is banned in Crimea http://t.co/7xi56NPZPo
— Die rote Pille (@rotepille) 27 февраля 2015
In December 2014, several US companies, including Apple, Amazon, MasterCard and Visa ceased their business activities in Crimea following US President Barrack Obama's authorization of an economic embargo against the peninsula.
