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Metro AG loses operational control of Russian assets following Putin decree FAST-MOVING
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree placing the Russian assets of the German wholesale and retail group Metro AG under temporary state management. This measure transfers 100 percent of the assets of Metro's Russian operations, including Metro Cash & Carry, Metro Warehouse Noginsk, and Retail Property 5, to a newly formed Russian management company called UK Torg Rus.
UK Torg Rus was registered in Moscow in September 2026 with a share capital of 10,000 rubles. Its director is Johannes Maria Tolay, who is also the current head of Metro's Russian operations. While Metro AG remains the formal owner of its Russian subsidiary, the company has confirmed it has lost operational control over its 91 stores and approximately 9,000 employees in the country.
The Kremlin has not provided a specific reason for this decree, but the move follows similar actions taken against other Western companies, such as Nestlé, Auchan, and Leroy Merlin, which were also placed under temporary management. These actions are part of a broader pattern targeting companies from countries deemed 'unfriendly' to Russia due to their support for Ukraine.
Despite the loss of operational control, Metro's Russian subsidiary has stated that its stores continue to operate normally and that the company is fulfilling all obligations to its customers and employees. The Russian market remains a significant part of Metro's business, accounting for approximately 8.7 percent of the group's total sales.
Entities
Institute for the Study of War · JSC UK Torg Rus · Johannes Maria Tolay · Johannes Tholey · Kyiv · Marine Le Pen · Metro · Metro AG · Russia · UK Torg Rus · Ukraine · Ukrainian General Staff
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ukrainian air defenses intercepted more than 1,500 out of 2,730 Shahed drones during the current month.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Geran-5 drones were used against Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv on the night of September 27.
- [● 5 SOURCES] A Kremlin-linked military blogger admitted the front line is largely 'static' and called for an expansion of long-range attacks.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Institute for the Study of War suggests Vladimir Putin may be shifting to a winter strategy using ballistic missiles and Geran drones to pressure Ukraine. www.bild.de
- [● 6 SOURCES] The goal of this strategy may be to force Ukraine to concede by spring 2027. www.bild.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed 49 Russian artillery systems and two air defense systems.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Ukrainian military recorded 229 battles on September 27, 2026.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Ukrainian forces hit several important targets behind the front line, including facilities used for drone attacks.
- [● 8 SOURCES] Vladimir Putin issued a decree placing the assets of the German wholesaler Metro in Russia under state management. www.t-online.de · www.zeit.de · www.ikz-online.de · www.zdfheute.de · www.rfi.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] A drone strike on the National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv killed one woman and injured three people. www.parismatch.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] United Aircraft Corporation has delivered a batch of modified Su-57 fighter jets to the Russian Air Force.
- [● 2 SOURCES] A woman was killed and three people were injured in a drone strike on the National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv. www.parismatch.com