Russia Evicts Ukrainians in Occupied Territories, Hands Homes to Ethnic Russians
Russia is massively evicting former residents from apartments in occupied territories, transferring housing to ethnic Russians, while construction companies linked to the Kremlin are profiting from the reconstruction of houses demolished as a result of the invasion.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Unian, citing The Wall Street Journal.
In the occupied territories, the Russian-backed authorities have declared thousands of apartments ownerless, making it difficult for Ukrainians who fled to return, prove ownership, and receive compensation. At the same time, newcomers from Russia enjoy benefits, including 2% mortgages on new homes.
The strategy of replacing the indigenous population of occupied territories with ethnic Russians is a long-established approach by Moscow, and Mariupol is no exception.
The mass resettlement of Russians, combined with widespread destruction, created favorable conditions for a new real estate market. While builders were clearing the rubble, realtors were actively buying up apartments from residents who had been forced to leave their homes, often at very low prices, which opened up great opportunities for profit from this process.
New migrants from Russia are buying homes in Mariupol, often with minimal renovation costs, planning to live there or rent out the apartments. At the same time, former residents of the city who were forced to leave due to the war have lost access to their property: their homes are occupied by the military or other individuals, and due to bureaucratic obstacles and personal circumstances, they are unable to return, claim compensation, or protect their rights.
The former landmark of Mariupol, the “House with a Clock,” has become a symbol of the massive changes taking place in the city under Russian control. Although the building was designated for restoration in the general reconstruction plan, it was demolished in 2022 and replaced with a new building with a different layout.
Former residents hoped to receive apartments in the new building on the same site in accordance with the 2022 resolution, but were later informed that the law had changed — they are now being offered housing anywhere in the city, not necessarily on the former site.
As The Gaze informed earlier, Russia’s occupation of certain areas in Ukraine is leading to escalating humanitarian and public health crises, with failing water systems and thousands of Ukrainian children being sent to Russia for indoctrination.