Putin puts more European companies' Russian units under state-appointed management

A decree published on Oct 15 hands the Russian subsidiaries of several foreign firms to a company called Tsentr Kapital for temporary management.

Companies affected

• Tarkett, flooring (France)
• Ontex, hygiene products
• Sonoco, packaging

They include French flooring maker Tarkett, hygiene-products maker Ontex and packaging maker Sonoco.

Revenue of the units in 2025

50+ billion rubles

The units taken over brought in more than 50 billion rubles in revenue in 2025.

Background

Russian authorities say the practice protects facilities from military threats; when Auchan and Leroy Merlin units were seized in September, French opposition leaders called it hostile.