Stolichnaya vodka has given $150,000 (about £91,400) to support the LGBT movement in Russia.

The donation was given to the Russian Freedom Fund, a US based organisation which aims to combat discrimination and violence in the country based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Russian Freedom Fund says on its website: ‘This initiative responds to growing concerns about recent state-sponsored discrimination in Russia and expresses solidarity between the international LGBT community and allies, and the Russian LGBT movement,’ with 100 per cent of all donations redistributed as cash grants.

Gay people worldwide suggested boycotting Russian vodka brands, but even though Stoli is proudly marketed as Russian vodka, it is filtered and bottled in Latvia, with bottles made in Poland and Estonia, and screw top caps from Italy. The alcohol itself, and the label, are made in Russia.

John Esposito, President of Stoli Group USA, said: ‘For many months, we have been working closely with our friends in the LGBT community to identify ways of placing resources where we can help make a difference in people’s lives. Through our network we were lucky enough to be introduced to the Russia Freedom Fund which will directly help LGBT activists on the ground in Russia. Over the next two years, we hope our donation of $150K will help stimulate positive, lasting change for LGBT people living in Russia. We continue to stand with the worldwide LGBT community against their discrimination and their pursuit of justice and equality.’

Back in July 2013, the SPI Group, which owns Stolichnaya Vodka, stressed that Stoli ‘firmly opposes such attitude and actions’ committed by the Russian government and continues to be a ‘fervent supporter and friend’ of the community, pointing to past endorsements of Pride events and LGBT organisations.

The statement claimed that the Luxembourg-based company is not affiliated with the Russian government, and that the vodka’s production is divided between Russia and Latvia. ‘We fully support and endorse your objectives to fight against prejudice in Russia,’ wrote Val Mendeleev, the CEO of SPI. ‘In the past decade, SPI has been actively advocating in favour of freedom, tolerance and openness in society, standing very passionately on the side of the LGBT community and will continue to support any effective initiative in that direction.’