Tech workers urge companies to join Ukraine's digital blockade of Russia

FILE PHOTO: Mykhailo Fedorov, digital strategy head of the election campaign of Servant of the People political party led by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, attends a news conference in Kiev, Ukraine May 27, 2019. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

OAKLAND, Calif. (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp President Brad Smith wrote to Ukraine's leader this month with a clear message: despite Kyiv's calls for it to sever all ties with Russia, the U.S. software behemoth would continue doing business in the country with non-sanctioned clients, including schools and hospitals.

"Depriving these institutions of software updates and services could put at risk the health and safety of innocent civilians, including children and the elderly," Smith said in the previously unreported March 14 letter, seen by Reuters.