France, Sept. 19 -- A decree signed by President Vladimir Putin late Thursday transferred the Russian operations of Nestle, French retailer Auchan and the former Leroy Merlin DIY chain, now known as Lemana Pro, to a company called LEV Management.

Investigative outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe reported that LEV Management was created only at the end of 2025, and is headed by a Russian interior ministry general. It had no known business activity.

The decree also covers the Russian subsidiaries of French logistics group FM Logistic.

"France condemns the unjustified placement under temporary administration of the Russian subsidiaries of several French and European companies," the foreign and economy ministries said in a joint statement late Fri...