Squatters have broken into a central London mansion apparently owned by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and declared it “belongs to Ukrainian refugees”. At least five people have been occupying the property in Belgrave Square since early Monday morning.
Mr Deripaska, an industrialist who has had close links with the British political establishment, was targeted with sanctions by the Government last week. He was described as “a prominent Russian businessman and pro-Kremlin oligarch”, who is “closely associated” with both the Russian government and President Vladimir Putin.
His wealth is estimated to be £2.3 billion and he has a multimillion-pound property portfolio in the UK which, according to a 2007 High Court judgment, includes the house at 5 Belgrave Square. Records indicate it has not changed hands since and is owned by an offshore British Virgin Islands company.
