Ericsson stated it is providing only software and technical support to clients in Russia, not selling gear to operators as Swedish media claimed, reported Reuters.
Sveriges Radio Ekot reported Ericsson applied for 12 permits to exempt itself from sanctions and was granted seven by Sweden's Inspectorate of Strategic Products.
The media outlet claimed Ericsson gained permission to sell equipment that could be used by the Russian military. A claim Ericsson refuted, stating exemptions related to gear for civilian end-users.
The Swedish vendor also saw trouble in Iraq where it was accused of paying terrorists to carry out works.
Ericsson also stated it paid an US$81 million charge and made 400 staff redundant in the country as it shuts off its operations in Russia.
An Ericsson spokesperson said: "Compliant with the sanctions we provide the software and technical assistance for those products that we have shipped prior to the invasion making it possible to withdraw while fulfilling contractual obligations."
Rival vendor Nokia also revealed plans to depart Russian due to the war in Ukraine and has said it will do limited work on maintenance of critical infrastructure and fulfilling contractual and humanitarian obligations.
Analysts speaking to Developing Telecoms predict Chinese vendors such as Huawei and ZTE will fill the void in Russia, left by its largest rivals Ericsson and Nokia.
