Moscow has assumed temporary control over the Russian assets of international giants Auchan and Nestlé, along with other companies, under the management of JSC L.E.V. Management. This development follows a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on September 17, according to reports from Interfax.
The assets, valued at approximately 600 billion rubles, equivalent to about €6 billion, were transferred under temporary management following the decree. Andrey Krajushkin is the chairman of JSC L.E.V. Management, which was registered in Moscow in October 2024. The ownership structure of the company has not been disclosed, and financial reports from 2025 indicate that it was not actively engaged in operations at that time.
Assets Worth €6 Billion Taken Under Control
According to the newspaper Kommersant, the assets taken under Russian control may lead to their potential sale. Sergey Alimirzojev, a senior partner at Alimirzoev & Trofimov law firm, explained that temporary management does not necessarily equate to confiscation or ownership change. However, it often serves as a transitional phase preceding a sale. He noted the outcome will depend on the foreign owners’ decisions; if they initiate a sale, the process could be swift, but refusal may result in federal ownership transfer of the assets.
The acquired companies have continued operations to some extent in Russia, despite the withdrawal of most Western entities from the market. Nestlé has been operational in Russia since 1994 and currently has six production facilities there. In 2022, the company suspended its investment program and advertising while focusing on essential products such as baby food, cereals, specialized nutritional products, and therapeutic pet food.
Auchan entered the Russian market in 2002 and since 2022, its Russian subsidiary, Auchan LLC, has operated independently. The company website states it has 230 stores across 100 cities.
Leroy Merlin has been active in Russia since 2004, with its primary legal entity being Le Monlid LLC, formerly Leroy Merlin Vostok LLC. It operates 112 stores, 11 dark stores, and six distribution centers in Russia.
