The Supreme Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine (VAKS) has taken custody of two Kyiv apartments owned by the well-known Russian designer and blogger Artemy Lebedev. This update comes from RTVI, which reports a Facebook post by Inna Bogatykh, the head of sanctions policy at Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice. In the post, she notes that Lebedev, who has been banned in Russia as an extremist by Meta, is the subject of the seizure on behalf of the state.
The posts indicate the properties are located in central Kyiv, with one residence on Yaroslavsky Val and the other on Saksaganskogo Street. The first apartment measures 138 square meters, while the second covers 193 square meters. These figures underscore the scale of the seized assets in the Ukrainian capital during the ongoing sanctions-enforced enforcement actions.
A representative from Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice labeled Lebedev as a Russian blogger and propagandist. The ministry stated that the confiscated properties would be transferred to the state as part of the sanctions regime and the broader anti-corruption efforts. Lebedev, in turn, acknowledged the action and expressed gratitude toward the ministry’s team, asserting the seizure as part of lawful measures in light of the sanctions imposed on him in Ukraine. He also claimed that the Kyiv office had been reallocated to a fellow programmer in 2021 and insisted that the office had no direct link to the seized apartment.
The broader narrative surrounding Lebedev includes public controversies on his digital channels. Reports indicate that his Telegram channel was targeted by scammers, who attempted to manipulate his audience and organize cryptocurrency initiatives on his behalf. This context adds another layer to the public conversation about the blogger’s activities and the ongoing enforcement actions related to sanctions and asset seizures in Ukraine.
Experts note that asset seizures tied to sanctions are a common instrument in aligning national legislation with international or regional restrictions. The case involving Lebedev illustrates how Ukrainian authorities apply these rules to individuals designated as propagandists or otherwise linked to actions deemed harmful to national security. The legal process emphasizes transparency, with official statements detailing the scope of the seizure and the mechanisms by which assets are assigned to state use or redistribution. Observers point out that such actions can have ripple effects on media actors, foreign business interests, and the broader information environment in which high-profile bloggers operate.
In summary, the two central Kyiv properties owned by Artemy Lebedev have been placed under state control by the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, reflecting Ukraine’s ongoing enforcement of sanctions among notable social and media figures. The events are part of a larger framework aimed at curbing extremist activity and enforcing financial restrictions that align with national security priorities. As the case unfolds, stakeholders will be watching how the seized assets are managed and whether related investigative steps extend to other assets or affiliates connected to Lebedev or his network. (citation: RTVI)