Activists on the side of Ukraine in the unfolding war between the country and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian regime recently took over the grounds of a London mansion tied to wealthy Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who’s among the rich Russian individuals who’ve been sanctioned following the war breaking out. The mansion sits at 5 Belgrave Square in the U.K. capital city, and those who recently entered the premises to make a stand for Ukraine hung banners at the mansion proclaiming that the “property has been liberated” and telling Putin: “Go fuck yourself.” A Monday report from the U.K. publication known as the Evening Standard noted that nobody was apparently left inside, but a small group remained on a balcony there at one point on Monday.
Activists break into mansion of Kremlin tycoon Oleg Deripaska, one of 7 oligarchs sanctioned last week for having "blood on their hands" https://t.co/aYcmRVOsmx pic.twitter.com/R2MfgBznA7
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) March 14, 2022
London’s Metropolitan Police stated regarding the temporarily commandeered mansion: “It was reported that a number of people had gained entry to the building and hung banners from upstairs windows. Officers have completed a search of the property and are satisfied there are no people left inside. We continue to engage with four people on the balcony as we balance the need for enforcement with the safety of all involved. We remain at the scene and are considering the appropriate next steps given the large and complex nature of this property.” (Activists’ arrests were eventually reported.) As the Evening Standard explained it, the “mansion is believed to belong to the family of Oleg Deripaska,” and in 2003, it apparently sold for about £25 million. A public statement apparently associated with the individuals who took over the Deripaska mansion indicated that they wanted to use the grounds as a “centre for refugee support, for Ukrainians and people of all nations and all ethnicities.”
⚡️Squatters occupy London mansion owned by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska.
The squatters protested against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine on March 14 and are seeking to open up the house for Ukrainian refugees, the Guardian reported.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 14, 2022
Notably, the Evening Standard added that “Downing Street confirmed it was examining whether the properties of sanctioned oligarchs could be used to house Ukrainian refugees, although it is thought new legislation would be required.” (Downing Street refers to the British prime minister’s team.) Under a newly announced program, “Britain will pay people 350 pounds ($456) a month if they can offer refugees a spare room or property for a minimum period of six months,” as noted by Reuters. Refugees have flooded out of Ukraine at a staggering rate amid Russian bombardments; over 2 million people and counting have already left the country, with many heading (at least initially) into nearby countries such as Poland. In Ukraine, thousands of civilians have died amid Russian attacks; over 2,100 have lost their lives in Mariupol alone. Anyone — whether Fox host Tucker Carlson or former President Donald Trump — who in any way seeks to excuse or write off Russia’s invasion is offering support to a blatantly murderous regime that’s already killed thousands of people. That’s what’s at stake here — not just a theoretical argument.
The mansion of oligarch Deripaska in #London. pic.twitter.com/rb5KsbyZHN
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 14, 2022
