The All-Russia People’s Front said Metro Russia had transferred 1 billion rubles to a fund for equipment purchases for troops, while Metro AG said the parent did not approve the move.
In an announcement dated Oct. 23, the People’s Front said the money went to its “People’s Front. Everything for Victory!” fund. The organization said the planned purchases included off-road vehicles, communications and reconnaissance systems, and equipment to counter drones. Sergei Gorbinov, the fund’s first deputy executive director, described those as intended uses for the money.
Metro AG said it was not consulted on the decision and had neither authorized nor endorsed it. The German wholesaler added that after Sept. 28 it could no longer direct Metro Russia’s operations or shape its operational choices.
Russia’s Decree No. 689, issued Sept. 28, revised the list of assets covered by the temporary-management measure established in Decree No. 302. Metro AG’s account of the change said the parent retained formal ownership of the Russian business, while UK Torg RUS took charge of its operations.
Vedomosti reported that Metro Russia told the publication some of the money would go toward humanitarian and social purposes. The People’s Front announcement focused on equipment for troops and did not specify how the money would be divided among uses.
The People’s Front announcement also cited Metro Russia CEO Johannes Tolay as saying the company considered involvement in state strategic initiatives important for a business operating within Russia’s economic system.
Metro AG said its Russian business began operating in 2001. In its Sept. 28 statement, the company described a network of 91 wholesale stores and a workforce of about 9,000 people in the country.
