Putin authorizes confiscation of Ukrainians’ homes in the occupied territories: what the law provides
17 December 2025 03:48
Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin has signed a law that legalizes the seizure of housing in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The document allows the occupation administrations to take away apartments and houses of citizens who have left the occupied regions or have not been able to confirm their ownership under Russian rules. This is reported by the Russian publications Moscow Times and Vazhnye Istori, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
What exactly does the new law allow?
It is about the amendments to the federal constitutional law of the Russian Federation, adopted by the State Duma and the Federation Council on December 9-10 and signed by Putin on December 15.
According to the document, the following are subject to seizure:
- residential buildings
- apartments
- rooms
- that have signs of so-called “ownerless property”.
The occupation authorities will include housing in this category:
- if the owner “cannot be identified”;
- if there are no “valid documents” for ownership;
- if the owner has left and has not undergone the procedure of re-registration under the laws of the Russian Federation.
In fact, this creates a legal basis for the massive alienation of housing of Ukrainians who have left the occupied territories.
Where will the confiscated housing be transferred?
After the confiscation, the real estate is transferred to the occupation administrations.
The law provides for several options for its use:
- transfer to local residents who have lost their homes due to hostilities;
- use as official housing for: Russian officials, military, security forces, teachers and doctors;
- renting out housing;
- provision under social rental agreements to persons recognized by the occupation authorities as “in need of housing”.
In addition, the seized property was allowed to be leased in accordance with the Housing Code of the Russian Federation or to be placed in it under a social rental agreement to residents “registered as needy”.
Thus, the housing of Ukrainians can be legally used to accommodate representatives of the occupation administration and law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation.
Is there any compensation for owners?
The law formally allows for the possibility of compensation, but only for Russian citizens. If the owner of the property appears after the confiscation, the occupation administration will decide on the compensation.
There are no guarantees of compensation for Ukrainian citizens.
The new rules will be in effect until 2030.
What is happening in Mariupol and other cities
Earlier, the Mariupol City Council reported that the Russian authorities had shortened the deadline for mandatory registration of real estate in the occupied territories until July 1, 2026. Previously, the deadline was set for January 1, 2028.
In September 2025, the so-called “mayor” of Mariupol, appointed by the Russian Federation, claimed that about 1,200 housing units had already been seized.
In the temporarily occupied Crimea, the Russians reported the seizure of property of another 84 individuals and legal entities. These are people and companies that allegedly “cooperate with Kyiv” and at the same time “make money in Crimea.”
Among those whose property was declared “nationalized” was Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, a native of Simferopol.
the “nationalization” of Ukrainian property in the temporarily occupied Crimea has been going on since the beginning of the full-scale war
The so-called “nationalization” of Ukrainian property in Crimea has been going on since the beginning of the full-scale war. Earlier, the occupation authorities have already announced the seizure of assets of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, singer Jamala and her relatives, as well as other public figures and businesses.
The official pretext is usually “support for Ukraine” or “hostile activity,” but no real judicial procedures recognized by international law are carried out.
Ukraine’s position
The Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea has repeatedly stated that all decisions of the occupation authorities on “nationalization” have no legal force. The Ukrainian authorities emphasize that the property rights of the victims will be restored after the de-occupation of the peninsula, and that Russia’s actions are recorded as a violation of international humanitarian law.
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea continue to document the facts of illegal seizure of property in the occupied territory. According to Kyiv, these materials can be used in national and international courts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
