Russia has announced that it will nationalize foreign assets in Crimea, including those owned by Ukraine.
“Deputies of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea adopted a resolution on the nationalization of the assets of foreign nationals and states that have acted hostilely against Russia,” said the Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea. Vladimir Konstantinov announced on social networks on February 3.
The Crimean Parliament, established by Russia after annexing the peninsula in 2014, said the resolution targets the assets of Ukrainian individuals and businesses, “who are complicit with the authorities in Kiev” and was unanimously approved. through.
According to Konstantinov, the list of assets to be nationalized “includes about 500 establishments related to many businesses and banks, tourism and sports infrastructure”.
View of Sevastopol, the largest city on the Crimean peninsula, June 2022. Image: Kyivpost.
Russian news agencies say the list includes the assets of former Ukrainian prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukraine’s richest man Rinat Akhmetov, tycoon Igor Kolomoisky, dozens of Ukrainian banks, factories and the Dynamo football club. Kyiv.
“Part of the profits will be used to support the participants of the special military operation in Ukraine,” Konstantinov added. The regional government says that some of those supported will receive free plots of land on the peninsula.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 after a referendum. Russia says the referendum results show most Crimeans want to be part of Russia, but Ukraine and Western countries consider the move illegal. Ukraine has repeatedly vowed to take back the peninsula.
Huyen Le (Theo AFP, Reuters)