Displaced Ukrainians Risk Home Seizure Under Russian Law
· news
A Shadow Over Homes: Russia’s Property Grab in Ukraine
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has left countless families displaced, their lives turned upside down by the brutal occupation of Russian forces. A sinister twist is emerging as Moscow tightens its grip on property in occupied territories, putting Ukrainian owners at risk of losing their homes forever.
Under new laws, Ukrainians are required to register their properties under Russian law by July 1, 2026, or face seizure and transfer to Russian citizens. But for many, this means a trip back into the lion’s den – literally. With their safety and freedom hanging in the balance, returning to occupied territories is an unpalatable option.
Lyudmila, a Ukrainian woman who fled her home in Zaporizhzhia, is one such individual facing this dilemma. Her business was bombed out, leaving her with nothing but memories and utility bills. “I built my whole life there,” she says, her voice laced with desperation. Lyudmila’s resolve to stay away from the occupied territories is firm – not just for herself, but for her safety and that of her family.
The Russian authorities’ claim that property owners must appear in person and present a Russian passport as proof of identity raises eyebrows. For many Ukrainians, this is an insurmountable hurdle. Anatoly Kolesnikov, a lawyer with the Ukrainian relief foundation East SOS, notes that it’s almost impossible to determine how many apartments Russian authorities have already taken.
In 2021, the occupying forces began classifying abandoned properties as “ownerless” and started selling or seizing them. A year later, they declared vacant buildings “ownerless” if no utility bills had been paid for over a year – a definition that conveniently absolves Russian authorities of any responsibility. The federal law passed in 2025 effectively paves the way for Russia to expropriate Ukrainian property.
Ukrainian human rights activists warn against the risks involved in re-registering properties under Russian law. Onysiia Syniuk from the Kyiv-based ZMINA Human Rights Center cautions that even traveling to the occupied territories poses significant risks, including arrest and unpredictable consequences. “With a Ukrainian passport, you can only enter via the border checkpoint at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport,” she says.
The implications are far-reaching – Russia is attempting to turn Ukrainians into Russian citizens by using property ownership as leverage. This brazen attempt to annex territory through the back door raises serious questions about international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Registration with the international Register of Damage for Ukraine established by the Council of Europe in May 2023 is a crucial step toward securing justice and compensation. However, Kolesnikov notes that even this mechanism remains unclear and its efficacy uncertain.
As the occupation drags on, the Russian authorities’ tactics become increasingly egregious. The message to Ukrainians is clear: surrender your property, or risk losing everything. It’s time for the international community to stand up against these gross violations of human rights and territorial integrity.
Lyudmila’s story serves as a poignant reminder of what’s at stake – not just her home, but the very essence of Ukrainian identity and resilience in the face of occupation. As Moscow tightens its grip on property, Ukrainians must hold onto hope, knowing that justice will eventually prevail.
Reader Views
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
This is just another example of Putin's long game - eroding Ukraine's sovereignty by targeting its most vulnerable citizens: homeowners. But there's a crucial context that's often overlooked in these reports: many Ukrainians have already lost their homes to the war, yet they're still being forced to navigate an impossible bureaucratic maze to prove ownership. We need more scrutiny on what constitutes "proof of identity" under Russian law and how it disproportionately affects those who can't afford passports or travel back to occupied territories.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
The latest move by Russian authorities is a thinly veiled attempt to legitimize their land grab in occupied Ukraine. By requiring property owners to register under Russian law and produce a passport as proof of identity, Moscow is essentially creating an insurmountable barrier for many Ukrainians who have fled the conflict zone. The article highlights the humanitarian crisis this policy will exacerbate, but it's worth noting that this also sets a worrying precedent for other occupied territories. If left unchecked, it could embolden Russia to replicate this strategy elsewhere in Eastern Europe, further destabilizing the region.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
The looming deadline for Ukrainians to register their properties under Russian law is more than just a bureaucratic hurdle - it's a calculated attempt to erase Ukrainian identity from occupied territories. The fact that property owners are required to physically appear and present a Russian passport highlights the impossible burden on displaced individuals who may not have access to these documents or fear persecution if they return. Moreover, the murky definition of "ownerless" properties has created a legal limbo where Russian authorities can seize assets with relative impunity.