Putin allowed to seize Ukrainians' homes in the occupied territories until 2030
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on 15 December that allows the occupation administrations in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to confiscate the homes of Ukrainians who left because of the war until 2030. This includes houses, apartments and rooms that are recognised as having signs of ownerlessness.
The criteria for ownerlessness will be determined by the occupation authorities themselves in consultation with Russian registers. The absence of data on the owner or the inability to identify him or her will not be an obstacle to confiscation. Such property will be recognised as the property of regions or municipalities.
The law provides for several options for the use of the seized housing. It can be transferred to Russian citizens who have lost their homes due to hostilities and have no other property. Some of the objects are planned to be used as service housing for the military, officials, security forces, doctors and teachers. It is also allowed to provide housing under social lease agreements with subsequent privatisation.
The law also provides for the transfer of confiscated real estate to federal ownership and then to the Territorial Development Fund, which will be entitled to lease or sell it without open bidding. Control over the process is entrusted to the team of Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.
Compensation is formally possible, but only for former owners who have received Russian citizenship. The procedure for payment will be determined by the occupation administrations.
