As far as I know, removing an app from the App Store does not prevent users who have already installed the app from using it. It only prevents further downloads from the App Store, i.e. new installs or updates.
Also, it is against the App Store rules (again, as far as I know) to just publish an update that e.g. only shows a message that the app is not functioning anymore (since apps on the App Store need to be functional).
Since you mention a backend: could you just shut that off? Does your app handle that in any way and show a message?
Topic:
App Store Distribution & Marketing
SubTopic:
App Store Connect