Carlsberg don’t do international disputes with warmongering states, but if they di– Oh no, they absolutely do, and it’s not “probably the best” outcome for the company’s senior Russian staff either.

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Russian Carlsberg staff arrested after business seized

The head of Carlsberg’s Russian business and another senior manager have been arrested ($) after the Kremlin took control of the company’s operations in the country. Denis Sherstennikov and Anton Rogachevsky were detained on fraud accusations. Carlsberg has said the allegations are fake.

It’s the latest escalation of tensions between Carlsberg and Russia. Like many Western businesses, Carlsberg was keen to exit the country after the invasion of Ukraine. The company had been trying to sell its Russian business, Baltika Breweries, and said in June it had signed an agreement. But Russia took control of Baltika in July under new rules allowing the state to seize assets of “unfriendly” countries.

Last month, Carlsberg announced it had terminated its business in Russia, saying the government had “stolen” its Russian unit. Its CEO said he didn’t want to legitimize the takeover. It’ll be a hit to the business – Russia is Carlsberg’s second-biggest market.

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