Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov initiated arbitration against Russia over “seized assets in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions”.
“Akhmetov, as an investor, will seek compensation for all losses from Russia as a result of interference in activities or expropriation of assets and investments by the so-called “DPR” and “LPR” under his leadership or control. Russia in 2014-2017” knowledgeable Press service of the SCM investment group owned by Akhmetov.
Among the assets Akhmetov hopes to restore are dozens of businesses operating in the mining, metallurgical and energy sectors, including Enakievsky Metallurgical Plant, DTEK Rovenkianthracite and DTEK Sverdlovanthracite.
The entrepreneur also owned the Donbass Arena, the construction of which was invested more than $ 400 million.
“I demand full compensation from the aggressor country for all the damage done to us in the illegally occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions since 2014. Justice must be restored and the offender must be punished both financially and criminally. I will invest the repaid funds in the restoration and construction of new enterprises, job creation and growth of the Ukrainian economy,” Akhmetov said.
The oligarch did not specify in which court the case will be filed.
previous cases
Akhmetov’s companies had previously filed two lawsuits in courts of different jurisdictions. In 2018, a lawsuit was filed in The Hague Arbitration Court regarding DTEK’s energy assets located in the Crimean peninsula.
In February 2022, the commission for identifying the property of foreign citizens and states engaged in hostile actions against the Russian Federation decided on the expropriation of Novokramatorsky Mashinostroitelny Zavod, OJSC Central Mining and Processing Plant and other assets belonging to Akhmetov.
The billionaire’s representatives sent a statement of demand to the ECHR, listing the assets that the Russian Armed Forces lost control of after the start of the special operation in Ukraine. In particular, it concerned the Azovstal plant (which belonged to the Metinvest group, which was owned by SCM).
In response, Moscow reminded that Russia has already withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the ECtHR, which means it will ignore the court decision.
Akhmetov owns 100% of SCM shares. At the end of last year, Forbes Ukraine estimated the fortune of the oligarch at $ 4.4 billion. He has lost more than $ 9 billion since the start of the SVO, but remains the richest citizen of Ukraine.
Ukrainians are losing wealth
According to Ukrainian Forbes, the 20 richest citizens of Ukraine have lost up to $22.5 billion since the start of the Russian special military operation in this country. In addition to Akhmetov, the top three losses include co-owners of Grammarly services, Maxim Litvin. and Alexei Shevchenko, who has lost $1.7 billion since February 2022. At the beginning of the year, both businessmen had $4 billion each.
Metallurgy and related branches of Ukrainian industry suffered the most.
So far, only five Ukrainians with a fortune of more than $ 1 billion remain in the Forbes ranking of billionaires. In addition to Akhmetov, the top five are Viktor Pinchuk ($ 2.1 billion), Vadym Novinsky ($ 1.4 billion), Konstantin Zhevago (1.3 billion). dollars) are included. ) and Gennady Bogolyubov ($1.1 billion)