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Russia has declared hundreds of hotels in occupied Ukraine ‘ownerless.’ Dozens have been taken over — but one Ukrainian hotelier is fighting back.
Russian authorities have labelled more than 7,000 private and commercial properties in occupied Zaporizhzhia “ownerless”, including 521 hotels and resort complexes, according to a Reuters investigation. At least 77 hotel properties have changed hands, with 20 transferred to government entities; Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry describes the policy as a legal cover for state-organised theft.
Denys Katyukha, the Ukrainian owner of the 100-room Admiral hotel, says authorities gave him three days in 2022 to confirm ownership, but rejected his father’s Ukrainian passport and the hotel’s documents. Nine days later, the hotel was placed under a Russian state organisation’s management and continued operating. A Ukrainian court awarded Katyukha $5.1 million in damages, but Russia does not recognise its jurisdiction; he has also filed a claim with the Ukraine damage register, which has no payment mechanism yet.
In short
- More than 500 hotels in occupied Zaporizhzhia were declared ownerless.
- At least 77 hotel properties have changed hands.
- A Ukrainian hotelier won a $5.1 million court award but may not receive payment.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Russian authorities could argue that properties whose owners cannot be verified or who are absent from occupied areas need temporary management to keep hotels operating, protect assets and maintain local services. They might say an ownership process is justified if it follows clear rules and allows owners a fair chance to provide evidence or challenge decisions.
The case against
Owners and Ukraine can argue that a three-day deadline, rejection of Ukrainian identity and property documents, and transfer of hotels to state-linked bodies do not amount to a fair ownership process. Taking control of private property under occupation, while disregarding an owner’s ability to contest the decision or obtain compensation, raises serious concerns about dispossession and the protection of property rights.
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