Russia Seizes Assets of French Firms, Summons UK Envoy Over Ukraine Support
Russia has seized assets of French retailers Auchan, Lemana Pro, logistics firm FM Logistics, and Swiss food giant Nestle in Moscow.
In Brief
- •Russia has seized assets of French retailers Auchan, Lemana Pro, logistics firm FM Logistics, and Swiss food giant Nestle in Moscow.
- •The Kremlin summoned Britain’s charge d’affairs Danae Dholakia, protesting the UK’s increased weapons shipments to Ukraine.
- •A decree signed by President Vladimir Putin transferred the seized firms’ Russian operations to a new entity, LEV Management, overseen by a Russian Interior Ministry general.
- •Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the action targets companies from “unfriendly” countries.
- •The move follows warnings from Poland and France about growing hybrid threats against European allies.
Why It Matters
The seizure of Western corporate assets signals a sharp escalation in Russia’s hybrid warfare strategy, potentially undermining investor confidence and complicating diplomatic relations with NATO allies. By targeting firms from “unfriendly” countries, Moscow is sending a warning to other Western businesses operating in Russia, while the UK’s protest underscores the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding arms support for Ukraine.
Key Details
- Seized firms
- Auchan, Lemana Pro, FM Logistics, Nestle
- New entity
- LEV Management
- Charge d'affairs summoned
- Danae Dholakia
- Decree date
- 2026-09-17
- Summons date
- 2026-09-18
Context & Background
Russia’s recent seizure of Western corporate assets and diplomatic protests reflect an intensification of its hybrid warfare tactics, targeting firms from countries it deems hostile while escalating tensions with NATO allies.
Original Reporting & Sources
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