New Delhi, Sept. 18 -- Russian authorities have seized the businesses and assets of Swiss food giant Nestle and three French groups, in the latest move against Western companies. The Kremlin has framed such measures as retaliation against Western sanctions and what it considers hostile actions by countries supporting Ukraine.

A decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin transferred the Russian operations of Nestle, French retailer Auchan, former Leroy Merlin DIY chain - now known as Lemana Pro - and French logistics company FM Logistic to a firm called LEV Management.

Nestle has six factories in Russia and employs around 7,000 people, according to a company spokesperson, as per AFP report. Its Russian operations primarily manufac...