Authorities in Russia systematically confiscate thousands of homes from Ukrainian residents in Mariupol, a city occupied by Putin’s army. This involves at least 5,700 homes, many belonging to people who were forced to flee the city. In order to save their properties, Ukrainians are required to return to Mariupol through Russia, undergo strict security checks, and accept Russian passports as part of a complicated bureaucratic process.This plan is part of a larger campaign to “Russify” the city, which includes military constructions, renaming streets, and adopting new Russian symbols.The majority of the affected properties were once occupied by Ukrainians who either fled or died during the 86-day siege of the strategically important city in 2022.There have been reports for some time that Russia has seized properties in occupied Ukraine. However, a new law has accelerated the process and made it more difficult for Ukrainian property owners to exercise their rights, according to a BBC investigation.In addition to the 2,200 homes that are imminently set to be confiscated by city officials, an additional 3,550 have been identified for possible confiscation, according to city documents analyzed by the BBC.Halyna is among the estimated 350,000 Ukrainians who fled Mariupol to escape Russian occupation. She said her apartment building in the coastal city, which had a population of 425,000 before the war, was heavily damaged by Russian tank fire. She was told that the “windows and doors” of her apartment were repaired and that people are living there without her permission. She fears her apartment will be confiscated.Details, HERE.
