Ukraine: Protesters occupy Russian oligarch's London mansion
Image source, Jennifer McKiernanProtesters have occupied a central London mansion believed to belong to one of the oligarchs sanctioned by the UK government.
They have draped Ukrainian flags over the Belgrave Square property and are encouraging members of the public to join in their protest.
The property is believed to be owned by billionaire energy tycoon Oleg Deripaska, an ally of Vladimir Putin.
A police presence has gathered outside the property.
It is thought that the group, the London Makhnovists, do not intend to live and sleep at the property and that they are instead occupying it as a protest against Russian President Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
Image source, Jennifer McKiernanStanding on the balcony, one of the protesters told journalists they were doing the government's work for them by reclaiming the mansion for refugees fleeing their homes.
He said: "Priti Patel, don't worry, we did your job -- we did the housing, just send them here, we did the housing. Refugees welcome!
"We're demanding this property belong to Ukrainian refugees. Their houses have been destroyed and this guy [Deripaska] supported the war.
"He knew the war was coming but he said nothing. His silence is violence."
The Home Office has been contacted for a comment.
Image source, Jennifer McKiernanIvan, who was passing by, said he is originally from Lvov in western Ukraine and was fully in support of the protest.
"I think it's very good," he said, adding he believed the mansion belonged to Mr Deripaska, who is "a friend of Putin".
"My people are suffering and they need help," he said.
Image source, Jennifer McKiernanOther passers-by were supportive of the occupation, saying they were unable to protest themselves but the action would make a difference.
One man said: "We need to protest in every way we can because this war is not right. A lot of civilians and women and children are dying every day for Putin and it's unbelievable."
A woman called the group "brave" and said: "I wish I was in a position where I could show up for things like this but I'm not there yet so I'm proud there are people doing this."
Image source, Jennifer McKiernanCharles Delingpole, who said he works in the field of sanctions, said he supported the protest but it was important to uphold the rule of law.
He said: "I think the UK has been too slow to sanction Russian oligarchs based on an abundance of caution as opposed to due process.
"However, this is the breakdown of law and just because we fight with monsters doesn't mean we need to turn into them ourselves."
Image source, Jennifer McKiernanMr Deripaska, founder of metals and hydropower company EN+, has been under US sanctions since 2018 as a result of his alleged close relationship with the Kremlin.
A 2006 High Court judgement revealed Mr Deripaska was the beneficial owner of Five Belgrave Square.
The seven-bedroom house, in one of London's most expensive neighbourhoods, also has a home cinema, a gym and a Turkish steam bath.
The property had been bought through Ravellot Limited, an offshore company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands.
Image source, REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina/Ravellot Limited still owns the property.
Land Registry documents give Graham Bonham Carter as the contact for Ravellot.
Five bank accounts held by him are subject to asset freezing orders at the request of the National Crime Agency (NCA), following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The bank accounts were frozen because of suspected links to Mr Deripaska, the NCA said.
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