The process of confiscating Azarov and his son’s assets has begun: what the Ministry of Justice intends to seize
7 May 04:41
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has filed a lawsuit with the High Anti-Corruption Court seeking sanctions against former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his son Oleksiy Azarov. The lawsuit seeks to forfeit their assets to the state in accordance with the Law “On Sanctions.” This was reported by the Ministry of Justice’s press service, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The lawsuit was filed on May 6, 2026.
The Ministry of Justice states that the basis for this action is Mykola Azarov’s activities following his flight from Ukraine, his public support of Russian narratives, as well as his son’s business activities on Russian territory.
The Ministry of Justice filed a lawsuit with the High Anti-Corruption Court
The Ministry of Justice has initiated sanctions against former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his son Oleksiy Azarov.
This involves a special sanctions mechanism— the confiscation of assets for the state. The High Anti-Corruption Court may issue such a ruling after reviewing the lawsuit.
In effect, Ukraine is launching a legal procedure to confiscate property that, according to the Ministry of Justice, belongs to the Azarovs directly or through related parties.
Why sanctions are being sought against Mykola Azarov
Mykola Azarov was Prime Minister of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, during Viktor Yanukovych’s presidency. He left Ukraine after the Revolution of Dignity.
The Ministry of Justice notes that after his flight, Azarov supported Russia’s position on the occupation of Crimea, questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government, and disseminated narratives consistent with Russian propaganda.
After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, according to the ministry, he continued his information activities aimed at justifying Russian aggression against Ukraine.
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What role does the Ministry of Justice assign to Oleksiy Azarov?
Oleksiy Azarov is the son of a former prime minister, a former member of parliament, and a businessman. He also left Ukraine in 2014.
According to the Ministry of Justice, Oleksiy Azarov has an extensive business network in Russia. Through his business structures, he provides logistical support for Russia’s armed aggression, paying taxes to the aggressor state’s budget and manufacturing products used to support Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
That is why the Ministry of Justice is asking the court to apply sanctions not only to Mykola Azarov but also to his son.
What assets are they seeking to seize
The Ministry of Justice’s lawsuit refers to assets that, according to the ministry, belong to Mykola and Oleksiy Azarov either directly or through third parties.
“The Ministry of Justice has filed a claim to seize assets that, directly and indirectly through third parties, belong to M.Y. Azarov and O.M. Azarov, specifically real estate and land plots in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, cash, corporate rights, books, icons, and jewelry of material and historical-cultural value,” the ministry noted.
The list of assets may include:
- real estate properties;
- land plots in Kyiv and the Kyiv region;
- cash;
- corporate rights;
- valuable items;
- books;
- icons;
- jewelry.
If the court grants the claim, these assets may be seized and forfeited to the state.
What does the confiscation of assets for the state revenue mean?
The confiscation of assets for the state is one of the harshest sanctions. It is applied to individuals who, in the state’s view, support aggression, assist the aggressor country, or act against Ukraine’s national security.
Such a decision is made by a court. Afterward, the assets become the property of the state and may be used in accordance with Ukrainian law.
Azarov has already lost his state awards
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree enacting the NSDC’s decision to strip state awards from individuals involved in treason or activities in the interests of an aggressor country.
This decision applied, in particular, to Mykola Azarov.
The former Ukrainian prime minister was also elected an academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which drew criticism from the Ukrainian scientific community.
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