A nephew of the Chechen ruler Kadyrov takes over the management of the Russian Danone subsidiary, which has been under Russian receivership since Sunday. Kadyrov is considered a confidante of Putin.
Jakub Sakrijew is the new general director of the Russian Danone business. He is a nephew of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Chechen Information Minister Akhmed Dudayev confirmed the appointment of the 32-year-old.
On Sunday, Russia took control of the shares in the French food company by presidential decree – the same fate befell the Carlsberg Group. The companies were presented with a fait accompli.
Kadyrov is considered a close ally of Putin
“His election shows that the representatives of the team of Chechen leader and hero of Russia Ramzan Akhmatovich Kadyrov are talented and successful managers,” the Chechen government advertised itself, Kadyrov and the new Danone boss.
Kadyrov is the president of the Russian republic, rules there like a dictator and is considered a close ally of the Russian head of state Vladimir Putin.
Danone is reviewing legal options
No comment was available from Danone. The Paris-based group is closely monitoring the situation and is focused on the safety of its 7,500 employees at 13 factories, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. Danone is reviewing its legal options following the confiscation of its assets.
Unlike many other international companies, Danone initially stayed in Russia after the Russian attack on Ukraine. At the end of October, the group finally announced that it was ending most of its activities in Russia. Danone will exit its dairy and plant-based products business and only maintain its infant formula business.
loss of control now also at Carlsberg
In addition to Danone, the Carlsberg Group also lost control of its brewing business in Russia, the Danish group announced. After a decree was signed, it no longer controls the management or operation of the Baltika breweries in Russia. The change in leadership took place without Carlsberg’s knowledge or consent.
Carlsberg is one of the largest brewery groups in the world. A month after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the group announced in March 2022 that it would withdraw completely from Russia and sell its Baltika brewery business there. Baltika is the largest beer brewer in Russia.