Russia is using seized foreign companies to funnel billions of rubles into its war effort, Bloomberg reports

Russian authorities have placed foreign subsidiaries under temporary administration, redirecting billions of rubles to fund the war effort, Bloomberg reported. After changes in management, these companies have sent funds to Putin’s People’s Front, which utilizes the money to acquire drones, vehicles, communications systems, and other equipment for Russian troops.

The payments, while modest compared to the expected spending on the war, enable company management to demonstrate their support for the authorities. Companies such as AkzoNobel, AB InBev Efes, Metro, and DKC have transferred significant amounts of rubles to support the military. Authorities have placed assets of over 20 foreign companies under temporary administration since January 2025, with nearly all of them being European.