Russia files lawsuit against US-based owner of seized canned food maker

Russian President Vladimir Putin decreed in October 2024 that Glavprodukt and other assets ultimately owned by U.S. company Universal Beverage and Leonid Smirnov be placed under the "temporary management" of the Russian state, giving Moscow control over the running of the business. The General Prosecutor's lawsuit, filed on March 5, contained no details, beyond naming the defendants as Smirnov, who is a U.S. citizen, Universal Beverages and other companies.