Globus' spun-off Russian business raises new questions

The owners of the Globus trading group continue to be active in Russia under the name “Hyperglobus”. Plusminus research now shows: One of these markets supports an organization that supplies equipment a

Despite the spin-off, Russian business from Globus continues to raise questions as of: October 21, 2026 • 3:31 p.m

Since the Russian attack on Ukraine in February 2022, numerous Western companies have withdrawn from Russia. These include companies such as McDonald’s, IKEA and Obi. Others have remained - including the German trading group Globus. However, Globus spun off its Russian business last year into an independent company called Hyperglobus.

But the separation is only on paper - because the Bruch family continues to control the company as the majority owner. At the beginning of October, Saarland billionaire Thomas Bruch brought former chancellor and Putin friend Gerhard Schröder onto the Hyperglobus supervisory board.

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According to the Ukrainian organization "Business4Ukraine", Globus will pay a total of 86 million euros in taxes to the Russian state between 2022 and 2025. “He uses the money to finance the war in Ukraine,” says Nezir Sinani, chairman of “Business4Ukraine.” Neither Globus nor Hyperglobus commented on the tax payments upon request.

These payments are not the only problem. Research by Plusminus shows how easily companies in Russia can indirectly become supporters of the war. For example, a Hyperglobus market in the Moscow suburb of Balashikha finances a group called the “Balashikha Volunteers.”

At first glance, a local aid organization. However, posts on her Telegram channel primarily show activities for the Russian armed forces.

Why do German companies rely on the Russian market – despite the war? Matthias Fuchs, WDR, Das Erste, October 21, 2026 • 9:45 p.m. Equipment and advertising for the army Photos and videos show how the group makes camouflage nets and loads equipment into trucks for Russian soldiers. She works closely with the local city administration. The "Volunteers of Balashikha" supply the Telegram channel with generators, drones, food - and anti-drone cloaks that are intended to block infrared sensors.

In return, the Russian combat troops in Ukraine send videos to the group: soldiers stand in front of their tanks and thank them for the support from Balashikha. The group also organizes events to promote the Russian army.

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Russian television also repeatedly reports on the group and its help for the army, showing the volunteers making camouflage nets. In one article, the director speaks of more than two tons of relief supplies that are currently being delivered to the area of the so-called "military special operation". The Russian leadership uses this term to describe its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Hyperglobus does not deny financing the group, but denies supporting military actions. The market in Balashikha supports the “Volunteers of Balashikha” purely for specific purposes and in everyday neighborhood help projects. The organization itself did not respond to a request from Plusminus.

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The case is an example of the risks that German companies take when they stick to the Russian market. In addition to tax payments to the Russian state, local partnerships can also become problematic.

Business ethicist Markus Scholz from the TU Dresden criticizes German companies that continue to operate in Russia. “They are at least making themselves silent accomplices of the Russian regime and its war of aggression,” says Scholz.

In the past, Globus had also justified remaining in Russia by saying that it had to continue to supply the population with food. Scholz considers this to be pretextual: "Other supermarket chains can also take over the supply. I think the intention to make a profit is in the foreground here."

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Globus co-owner Thomas Bruch will be one of the few German entrepreneurs to take part in the economic forum in St. Petersburg in June. Business in Russia is apparently going well, as Bruch speaks of an increase in sales of around six percent in the Russian markets this year. Hyperglobus is expanding and recently opened another market in Russia.

Nevertheless, doing business in Russia remains risky - and not just for reputation. The example of Metro shows how quickly the Russian state can confiscate assets. This may also be a reason why Putin's friend Gerhard Schröder now sits on the Hyperglobus supervisory board. As a kind of reinsurance?

This topic in the program: The First | Plus minus | Oct 21, 2026 | 9:45 p.m. MDR aktuell - The news radio | News | Oct 21, 2026 | 1:09 p.m