Russian authorities in occupied territories want to seize over 13,000 "ownerless" houses
The Russian occupation authorities have recognised thousands of apartments and houses in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine as "ownerless property" and intend to seize them for the state.
Source: Novaya Gazeta Europe, a Russian socio-political newspaper
Details: Novaya Gazeta Europe estimated that over three years, the Russian authorities have identified 13,300 "ownerless" properties, half of which were identified in the first half of 2024. At the same time, in the first year of the full-scale war, pro-Russian officials found an average of 235 "abandoned" houses per month, and now, 1,500 per month.
Mostly, apartments and houses whose owners have fled the war to Russia, Ukraine and other countries are recognised as "abandoned." The journalists also spoke to a resident of the "DPR" ["Donetsk People’s Republic" – self-proclaimed and non-recognised quasi-state formation in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast – ed.] who has been fighting on the side of Russia for more than two years. Recently, he learned from his neighbours that his apartment had been recognised as "mismanaged property" and could be nationalised.
Despite the fact that the occupation authorities promise to confiscate housing only from those who have left since 2014 and are not going to return home, 77.5% of "ownerless" property is located in the newly occupied territories. Mariupol, Melitopol and Svatove, which were captured by Russian troops in the spring of 2022, are the leaders in terms of the number of "abandoned" homes.
The occupation administration officials are responsible for identifying "ownerless" properties. Novaya Gazeta Europe claimed that they often prefer housing in central areas.
Quote from a resident of Horlivka (Donetsk Oblast): "In the lists of housing identified as ownerless published by the administration, the location of these facilities stands out: only in the centre or on the main roads of the periphery. There are no frontline or disadvantaged areas in terms of housing. This leads residents to have sad thoughts that property is being squeezed from refugees for mercenary purposes."
More details: Owners of apartments and houses in occupied areas can retain their property rights if they live there, pay utility bills and register their homes in the Russian Unified State Register of Immovable Property. Residents of these regions told journalists that it is unrealistic for refugees to fulfil all three conditions.
Background:
The Russians destroyed half of the residential buildings in Mariupol during the siege, and more than 300 buildings have been demolished over the time of occupation.
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