Displaced Ukrainians risk home seizure under Russian law
Key takeaways
- Russia is tightening control over property in occupied Ukrainian territories, requiring owners to register under Russian law.
- But to re-register their property in the Russian land registry, owners have to appear in person and present a Russian passport as proof of their identity — an impossibility for many Ukrainians.
- "It breaks my heart," said Lyudmila (name changed.) "I built my whole life there.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Russia is tightening control over property in occupied Ukrainian territories, requiring owners to register under Russian law. Many Ukrainians say returning to do so would put their safety and freedom at risk.
https://p.dw.com/p/5E3wy Russian occupying forces began seizing Ukrainian homes in 2014Image: Peter Kovalev//ITAR-TASS/IMAGOAdvertisement Russian authorities have granted owners of land and real estate in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine until July 1, 2026 to claim ownership of any property originally registered under Ukrainian law.
But to re-register their property in the Russian land registry, owners have to appear in person and present a Russian passport as proof of their identity — an impossibility for many Ukrainians.