In occupied zones, Moscow speeds up seizure of property from fleeing Ukrainians

Moscow is intensifying its "Russification" efforts in occupied Ukrainian territories by accelerating the seizure of real estate from fleeing Ukrainians. A new law, Federal Law No. 4-FKZ, enacted on December 15, aims to integrate the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson more deeply into Russian administrative, legal, and economic systems.

A key component of this law overhauls property ownership, formalizing a mechanism for the Russian state to appropriate housing considered "ownerless" in occupied areas. Previously, such policies were managed inconsistently at the regional level by occupation authorities.

The law mandates that Ukrainians owning property in occupied zones must re-register their assets within the Russian cadastre before July 1, 2026. Failure to comply, and to do so in person, will result in confiscation of their property.

This legislative push follows previous efforts by Russia to assert control over the occupied territories. The accelerated seizure of property is seen as a significant step in consolidating Russian control and altering the demographic and ownership landscape of these regions.