Russian company asks Putin to place Nestle assets under temporary administration, Kommersant reports

MOSCOW, Aug 17 (Reuters) - A little-known Russian company has asked President Vladimir Putin to place the Russian assets of Swiss food group Nestle under temporary administration, the Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The request, submitted by a company called KS Logistika, covers five Nestle-owned entities in Russia and could, in theory, result in a change of ownership, Kommersant said.

Nestle told Reuters it had not been contacted by Russian authorities about the request. The company said it continues to operate its offices and factories in Russia while complying with all regulatory requirements. 

Putin's spokesman was not available to comment.

KS Logistika reported revenue of 1.6 million roubles ($18,735) in 2025 and is believed to represent third-party interests, the newspaper reported, without elaborating.

Reuters has not been able to independently verify this information. 

Russia has tightened control over foreign-owned assets since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Under a decree signed by Putin in 2023, Moscow has the power to place assets from countries it deems "unfriendly" under temporary administration.

The mechanism has previously been used to take control of the Russian subsidiaries of companies including Danone and Carlsberg. Nestle has continued operating in Russia, arguing that as a food producer, it supplies essential goods.

According to Kommersant's source, the request stems from Nestle's decision not to expand production capacity in Russia and to halt exports of products made at its Russian factories.

Natalia Popravko, a Russian consultant, told Kommersant that temporary administration does not necessarily amount to asset seizure. However, she noted that some businesses have ultimately been confiscated or sold to Russian investors.

Citing industry analyst Mikhail Burmistrov, Kommersant said Nestle's Russian business could be worth 160 billion to 175 billion roubles ($1.9 billion to $2.1 billion), including 120 billion to 125 billion roubles in assets and brands and 40 billion to 50 billion roubles in undistributed profits.

Nestle operates six production sites in Russia, in the Kaluga, Vologda, Samara, Vladimir, Perm and Krasnodar regions, producing coffee, confectionery, baby food and pet food.

($1 = 85.4000 roubles)

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov. Editing by Mark Potter)