In the last week, Russian prosecutors have delivered warnings to companies including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, International Business Machines Corporation and KFC owner, Yum Brands Inc, reported the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Russian prosecutors have threatened that Western companies and corporate leaders who criticise the government would be arrested or that assets of companies that withdraw from the country will be seized.

The calls, letters and visits included threats to sue the companies and seize assets including trademarks, reported the Wall Street Journal.

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Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for a law to nationalise the assets of foreign companies that leave his country after its invasion of Ukraine.

As per a report by WSJ, at least one of the targeted companies has limited communication between its Russian business and the rest of the company.

Sources said that this was done out of concern that emails or text messages among colleagues may be intercepted.

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Many companies have said that their decision to stop operations is temporary, while others have said that they have left for good.

According to sources, companies are also evaluating their business in Russia in a different way, given the economic instability and expectations that conditions will be volatile for some time.

Despite the Russian prosecutors’ warnings, many companies aren’t planning to change their decisions to withdraw or suspend operations.

If the Russian government decides to impose its own managers, it will be difficult for companies to smoothly hand over operations.

According to Yale School of Management, over 350 foreign companies have said they are leaving or temporarily suspending work in Russia.

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