Russia is planning to nationalize 13,000 houses and apartments in the temporarily occupied territories, deeming them as “ownerless property,” according to Novaya Gazeta Europe reports.
If the rightful owners do not appear within a month, the properties will be expropriated. Despite claims that only properties empty for “years” will be seized, approximately 80 percent of the identified “ownerless” properties are in recently illegally occupied cities and prime locations.
Russian-appointed officials label the housing as “ownerless” based on tips from local residents, and select properties for the expropriation list. The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic reports around 30,000 “ownerless objects” due to the invasion.
The National Resistance Center reported state seizure of properties without informing owners, including those who left for Kyiv-controlled areas or abroad. There are instances of housing being taken from Ukrainians with Russian passports to accommodate Russian soldiers, families, or government representatives in the occupied territories.