Nokia joins Ericsson as telecom giants leave Russia.

Nokia, whose telecommunications equipment plays an important role providing internet and communications in Russia, said on Tuesday that it was exiting the country because of the invasion of Ukraine.

The company had already suspended deliveries, stopped new business and begun moving research and development work out of Russia because of the war. Nokia, based in Finland, has been a leading manufacturer of telecommunications equipment used by Russian companies to provide internet and wireless services.

Word of the departure closely followed a similar announcement on Monday by Ericsson, a Swedish rival. The departures could cause difficulties as Russia seeks to expand and maintain its telecommunications networks, which are built with equipment from the two firms.

Last month, The New York Times reported on Nokia’s role in allowing its wireless networks to connect to a vast government surveillance apparatus used by Russia’s intelligence service. Documents revealed that the company knew how its technology was used as part of the surveillance network, which human rights groups and European courts have criticized.

Nokia denied wrongdoing.

On Tuesday, Nokia said it was concerned about deteriorating internet access inside Russia as independent sources of information became harder to find inside the country. Nokia said it was applying for licenses that complied with Western sanctions in order to provide maintenance for existing networks.

The two Nordic firms’ largest telecom rival, the Chinese giant Huawei, has not said whether it will continue to operate inside Russia. Rebuffed by the United States in recent years, it has poured resources into research and development there.

Huawei stands to gain much of the market after Ericsson’s and Nokia’s departures, but analysts have warned that new sanctions on Russia could limit its ability to work in the country.