IKEA, the world's biggest furniture brand, is closing its stores in Russia and pausing all sourcing in the country and ally Belarus, joining the wave of Western firms curbing business with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

The news came as IKEA store owner Ingka Group's retail manager said it now expected to raise prices by an average of 12% this fiscal year, up from 9% previously,

The price increases come amid soaring raw material costs and supply chain disruptions.

While a raft of international companies have already halted operations in Russia due to the war and consequent sanctions against the country, IKEA is one of the first to also halt business with Belarus.

"The devastating war in Ukraine is a human tragedy, and our deepest empathy and concerns are with the millions of people impacted," brand owner Inter IKEA and Ingka Group said in a joint statement.

"The war has both a huge human impact and is resulting in serious disruptions to supply chain and trading conditions, which is why the company groups have decided to temporarily pause IKEA operations in Russia," they said.

Inter IKEA is in charge of supply while Ingka Group is the main global retailer with 17 stores in Russia and one distribution centre.

In the year up to last August, Russia was IKEA's 10th-biggest market with retail sales of €1.6 billion, or 4% of total retail sales.

The decision to pause operations in Russia affects 15,000 employees and Ingka Group Retail Operations Manager Tolga Oncu said in an interview all staff would get paid, in roubles, for at least the coming three months.

"The company groups will secure employment and income stability and provide support to them and their families in the region," IKEA said.

IKEA produces chipboards and wood based products at three sites in Russia, and has around 50 direct suppliers in the country that produce a wide range of goods for the Russian market.

The bulk of products made in Russia are sold in Russia. Goods produced in Russia and exported to other markets make up less than 1% of IKEA's products.

Inter IKEA Core Business Supply Manager Henrik Elm said in a joint interview the decisions were made before the European Union on Wednesday approved new sanctions against Belarus for its supporting role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation."

Belarus is purely a sourcing market for IKEA and the company has no stores in the country.

Before today's announcement, Ikea had initially announced that it would leave its shops in Russia open, which was met with criticism in Sweden.