French multinational retailer; in focus amid cyberattack-linked retail disruption
Poland's prime minister has warned intelligence indicates Russia is preparing hybrid drone and missile strikes that will be framed as "accidents" to weaken NATO's collective defence. He has announced a trip to Kyiv to coordinate defences. European governments are reinforcing air defences, closing airports temporarily and planning infrastructure protections.
Russian presidential decrees have placed the Russian operations of several Western retailers and food companies under temporary administration, transferring control to newly registered or Kremlin‑linked firms. The moves follow earlier 2023 seizures and are taking place as Moscow and Berlin exchange diplomatic and security accusations, putting German firms such as Metro and Globus at risk.
France’s National Rally leaders have condemned Russia’s asset seizures, insisting Moscow cannot dictate French policy. The move follows Kremlin actions against French and Swiss subsidiaries; Macron convenes leaders to discuss Moscow’s threat while Le Pen remains a candidate in the presidential race.
Ukraine faces a winter-priority rush as it seeks Patriot missile licenses and accelerates domestic interceptors amid renewed Russian strikes. Kyiv warns of new ballistic missiles and offensive pressure while allies weigh supply and production capacity.
Large-scale cyberattacks have targeted internet-connected refrigeration systems at dozens of French supermarkets and affected some Dutch stores, forcing temperatures to surge to as high as 50°C, spoiling fresh and frozen food, triggering fires and prompting mass disposal. French authorities have opened a probe and ANSSI is leading the investigation while retailers report tens of millions of euros in losses.
The Kremlin has expanded its control over foreign assets, transferring management of several European units to domestic entities. The moves follow Putin’s decree granting temporary state stewardship of key subsidiaries, intensifying a broader pattern of asset expropriation in response to Western sanctions.