Russia seizes control of Danone and Carlsberg operations

Russia has taken power of the Russian subsidiaries of yoghurt shaper Danone and brew institution Carlsberg.

The units person been enactment successful "temporary management" of the state, nether a caller bid signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Moscow introduced rules earlier this twelvemonth allowing it to prehend the assets of firms from "unfriendly" countries.

This came aft galore companies halted concern successful Russia pursuing its penetration of Ukraine.

Danone and Carlsberg were successful the process of selling their Russian operations.

Sunday's bid places the shares of Danone Russia and the Carlsberg-owned Baltika Breweries nether the power of Russian spot bureau Rosimushchestvo.

France-based Danone, which started the process to merchantability its Russian concern past October, said it was "currently investigating the situation".

The steadfast added that it was "preparing to instrumentality each indispensable measures to support its rights arsenic shareholder of Danone Russia, and the continuity of the operations of the business".

Carlsberg said it had not received "any authoritative accusation from the Russian authorities regarding the statesmanlike decree of the consequences for Baltika Breweries".

The Danish brewer besides said it had completed an "extensive process" to abstracted the Russian portion from the remainder of the company. Last month, the institution signed an statement to merchantability Baltika Breweries but had not yet completed the deal.

"Following the statesmanlike decree, the prospects for this income process are present highly uncertain," it added.

In April, Mr Putin signed an bid allowing Russia to instrumentality impermanent power of overseas assets, successful effect to actions by the US and different countries that Russia said were "unfriendly and contrary to planetary law".

Also successful April, it was announced that the Russian units of 2 vigor companies - Germany's Uniper and Fortum of Finland, had been brought nether authorities control.

Danone's Russia cognition is the country's largest dairy company, with astir 8,000 employees.

It was estimated that the merchantability of the concern would effect successful a €1bn ($1.1bn; £860m) deed for Danone.

Meanwhile, Carlsberg subsidiary Baltika produces immoderate of the astir recognisable brew brands successful Russia, with 8,400 employees crossed 8 plants, according to Carlsberg's website.