Activision opted to block the controversial airport massacre mission from the Russian version of Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 “after seeking the advice of local counsel”.

Responding to rumours that the game has been banned or recalled due to an uproar over its content, the publisher told us that the claims are wide of the mark.

“Reports that Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has been banned in Russia are erroneous. Activision only released a PC version of the game in Russia which went on sale on Tuesday, Nov. 10," the company said in a statement.

“Other countries have formal ratings boards that we regularly work with. However, Russia does not have a formal ratings entity. As a result, we chose to block the scene after seeking the advice of local counsel.”

It is believed that a patch for the PC version of the game was released to restrict access to the airport mission.

We’ve contacted Activision again to clarify when the console versions of the record breaking shooter will launch in Russia.