{
  "id": 8359197,
  "title": "Russia seizes assets of Nestle, French firms over home countries’ support for Ukraine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/russia-seizes-assets-of-nestle-french-firms-over-home-countries",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T01:56:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2026/09/19/russia-seizes-assets-of-nestle-french-firms-over-home-countries-support-for-ukraine/235717"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Russian authorities seized the businesses and assets of Nestle, a Swiss food giant, along with three French firms including Auchan, a retailer, and the former DIY chain Leroy Merlin, now known as Lemana Pro. President Vladimir Putin transferred the Russian operations of these companies to a company called LEV Management. Additionally, the decree covers the Russian subsidiaries of the French logistics group FM Logistic.\n\nFrance has called on Russian authorities to \"reverse this decision\". The Russian move is seen as retaliation against Western firms' support for Ukraine, as part of a series of sanctions imposed on the country. Most Western companies had already sold their Russian operations or scaled back their activities due to the ongoing conflict.\n\nNestle, which employs around 7,000 people in Russia, said it is evaluating its options and protecting its rights. The financial impact on Nestle is expected to be small as Russia accounts for only around 1% of the group's sales, down from 2% before the Ukraine war. However, analysts suggest a write-off of Nestle's Russia business could cost the company around 1 billion francs.\n\nAuchan and Leroy Merlin, both controlled by the Mulliez family, have requested clarifications from Russian authorities. Auchan's subsidiary in Russia has 241 stores and over 33,000 employees. France condemned the move and urged Russia to reconsider its decision.",
  "summary": "WARSAW, Sept 19 — Russian authorities have seized the businesses and assets of Swiss food giant Nestle and three F...",
  "key_points": [
    "Russian authorities seize Nestle and three French firms' assets over Ukraine support",
    "Nestle, employing 7,000 in Russia, evaluates options and protects rights",
    "Auchan and Leroy Merlin request clarifications from Russian authorities"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Russia's seizure of Western firms' assets escalates retaliation against companies from countries supporting Ukraine, putting those with significant Russian operations, like Nestle, Auchan, and Leroy Merlin, at risk of substantial losses.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}