Putin transfers Russian assets of Metro to temporary management

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has transferred the Russian assets of the German retail chain Metro Cash & Carry to the temporary management of the company "UK Torg Rus". The corresponding decree was published on September 28 and entered into force on the day of official publication.

As The Bell writes, shares in Metro's Russian structures have been placed under temporary management. In particular, this concerns 100% of the capital of the company "Metro Warehouse Noginsk", owned by Metro Cash & Carry Russia B.V.

In addition, the assets of the structure "Retail Property 5", associated with the German retailer's real estate in Russia, have been transferred to temporary management. The management company "UK Torg Rus" has been appointed.

"UK Torg Rus" was registered in Moscow only on September 8, 2026. According to the Russian register of legal entities, its main activity is the management of head offices. The company is registered at an address on Leningradskoye Shosse, where Metro's Russian office is located.

The transfer of assets is carried out within the framework of decree No. 302, adopted by Putin back in April 2023. It allows the Russian authorities to establish temporary management over the property of companies and citizens from states that Moscow classifies as so-called "unfriendly".

Such a regime formally does not mean the transfer of ownership rights to the temporary manager. According to the current version of the decree, the manager receives the powers of the owner, but does not have the right to dispose of the property transferred to him. He is also responsible for the inventory and preservation of assets. Putin can cancel the temporary management by a separate decision.

The decision on Metro continues a series of transfers of Russian assets of foreign companies to the control of Kremlin-appointed structures. In September, similar measures were applied to the Russian business of the French chain "Auchan", the food producer Nestlé, the logistics company FM Logistic, and the chain of construction hypermarkets "Lemana PRO", which previously operated under the Leroy Merlin brand.

Metro continued to operate in Russia after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The German group explained this by saying that the Russian business is a separate operational structure that provides employment for employees and food supplies for professional clients.

The chain has been operating in Russia since 2001 and specializes primarily in wholesale sales for small businesses, restaurants, cafes and hotels, although its shopping centers are also accessible to ordinary customers.