MOSCOW, November 9. /TASS/. Russian holding Sistema Group is exploring the possibility of buying the Russian assets of Swedish company Ikea, Senior Managing Partner of Sistema, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Segezha Group Ali Uzdenov told TASS.

"We are exploring the possibility of acquiring Ikea's Russian assets," he said.

According to Uzdenov, Sistema is currently analyzing the enterprises of the Swedish company. "We are also preparing tender documentation," he added.

The Inter Ikea group of companies first announced the suspension of Ikea business operations in Russia and Belarus in March. Later, the company revealed that Ikea would sell four factories in Russia and halt its retail operations in the country, which would result in a staff reduction. Mega shopping centers, on the other hand, would continue to run as usual.