Russia enforces land confiscation laws in occupied Ukrainian territories

They have begun creating a database of land plots owned by local residents. Beginning March 1, 2025, land plots, including those intended for housing and personal gardens, can be confiscated if they have not been developed during the last two years of the occupation.

So-called "supervisory" authorities will check the use of land, and if it is deemed unused for two years, the owner will automatically lose the rights to it. However, the criteria for determining "use" have not been specified.

The new resolutions are in line with a law signed by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, which sets a three-year deadline for land development. Failure to comply could result in land confiscation. Unused land with existing buildings includes not using the buildings for their intended purpose for five years or destroying structural elements.

In addition, land that is littered or overgrown with weeds may also be considered unused. These violations may lead to the recognition of land as unused for private households with buildings.

Such violations may lead to the recognition of the land as unused for private household plots with buildings.

This follows an earlier report by the NRC on Aug. 20 that the Russians had set up a so-called "Investment and Industrial Development Council" to deal with the looting of captured businesses in the partially occupied Kherson Oblast.