Ukrainian properties in Crimea – including Zelensky's – to be sold, Russian-installed officials announce

Russian-installed officials have announced their plans to sell a raft of Ukrainian-owned properties in annexed Crimea, including a property owned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In a post on Telegram, Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov announced plans to sell 100 “nationalised properties.”

“These are residential premises, including the apartment of the Zelensky couple, sanatorium and resort facilities, retail and commercial facilities,” Konstantinov said on Saturday. 

The Russian installed authorities expect to raise over 800 million rubles ($8.2million) from the sale of the properties, according to Konstantinov.

Eight auctions have been already carried out in Crimea, Konstantinov said, adding that concluded sale and purchase agreements reached the value of 815 million rubles ($8.4 million).

Konstantinov, who is the speaker of the Crimean Parliament, said a specially designated commission will continue efforts to “identify the property of Ukrainian oligarchs in Crimea.”

Some context: Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has refocused some of its war efforts on the region, increasing missile and drone strikes on Crimea in an attempt to land both strategic and symbolic blows against Russian forces.