KIEV, UKRAINE - 2018/09/26: Bottles of Stolichnaya vodka, manufactured by the SPI Group seen on the store shelf. (Photo by Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Stoli Group announced that it's rebranding the name of its vodka, Stolichnaya, "in direct response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine." The vodka will now be marketed as "Stoli," according to the company, which has tried to distance itself from the protests against Russian-branded vodka.
The company's product is manufactured and bottled in Latvia, according to its website. RELATED: Boycotting vodka: Here's what you should know as businesses dump the alcohol amid the Russian invasionStoli Group, which was founded by Yuri Shefler, said its decision to rebrand was driven by Shefler's "vehement position on the Putin regime; the Stoli employees determination to take action; and the desire to accurately represent Stoli's roots in Latvia." Concerns are soaring over Russia's conflict with Ukraine, including fears of a full-fledged invasion."While I have been exiled from Russia since 2000 due to my opposition to Putin, I have remained proud of the Stolichnaya brand," Shefler said in a statement.RELATED: Vodka company promotes ‘American Stallion,’ calls for rebranding Moscow Mule amid Russia’s invasion of UkraineAs Russia's invasion of Ukraine intensified, so did the boycott against vodka.