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Protesters occupy $32m Belgravia mansion linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska

Group of men wearing masks seen standing on balcony overlooking Belgrave Square

Laura O'Callaghan
Laura O'Callaghan

March 14, 2022

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Protesters in London have occupied a £25 million ($32.6m) Belgravia mansion linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, days after the Kremlin associate was placed under UK government sanctions.

They broke into the house at 5 Belgrave Square on Monday and hung huge banners from its balconies.

Mr Deripaska was one of seven oligarchs added to the UK’s sanction list last week over ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“This property has been liberated”, read one flag, while another was scrawled with an anti-Putin message.

The imposters said they were part of the London Makhnovists, a group that takes inspiration from Nestor Makhno, a Ukrainian anarchist and author.

Squatters occupy a mansion belonging to the family of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in Belgrave Square, London, on Monday. PA
Squatters occupy a mansion belonging to the family of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in Belgrave Square, London, on Monday. PA

Asked by The National if they had plans to occupy other homes linked to Russian oligarchs, one member said: “We are ready for more action. We will go further and we will do bigger. Only the police are standing in our way.”

The group said it planned to stay in the home until Russian troops ended their assault on Ukraine.

Members said they wanted to use the property to house refugees displaced by the wars in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Yemen, an idea not ruled out by government ministers.

“We are planning to stay until Putin stops the war,” one man said.

“We are saving the taxpayer money,” another protester said. “We are doing something that the public thoroughly support.”

Police looked on as the demonstrators raised their fists in protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Men were seen rolling cigarettes on the balcony, three doors down from the Syrian embassy, and one sang and danced on the upper floor. One woman passing by shouted “Slava Ukraini” which translates as “Glory to Ukraine”.

Another passer-by who shouted his support for the group told The National he was from Ukraine. He said he “absolutely” backed the protesters’ vision for the mansion to accommodate refugees.

The man, who declined to give his name, said the UK’s sanctions on Mr Putin’s inner circle did not go far enough.

“I know that the British government has done a lot but sanctions are sanctions and there are a lot of loopholes people can use to hide away their money. They can put their properties in their children’s names,” he said.

Hours after the protest began, police officers wearing helmets and safety harnesses used a ladder to reach the balcony in a bid to oust the squatters.

One of the protesters sat on the edge of a balcony to obstruct officers who were trying to position the ladder.

Another shouted at officers: “We are peaceful protesters and you turn up in riot gear.”

Officers used a drill to break open the front door of the house to enter the property.

Two protesters used large potted plants to create a barricade, blocking themselves off from two Metropolitan Police officers who managed to reach a neighbouring balcony in a crane.

The pair were seen sharing a drink from a single glass while one man burst into song.

Squatters sit on the edge of a balcony at a Belgravia mansion linked to a Russian oligarch. EPA
Squatters sit on the edge of a balcony at a Belgravia mansion linked to a Russian oligarch. EPA

Another squatter shouted to people looking out of window of the building next door: “We are your new neighbours. We’ll come around tomorrow with some brisket.”

“Officers have completed a search of the property in Belgrave Square and are satisfied there are no protesters inside. We continue to engage with those on the balcony as we balance the need for enforcement with the safety of all involved,” the force said at about 2pm UK time.

One member of the group, who refused to give his name but said he was from Lithuania, said he and his group were prepared for the prospect of being arrested.

“All our group made peace with arrest because this was always one of the options,” he told the PA news agency by phone from the balcony.

“I’m ready to take the consequences for something I believe.”

He also said they had done “everything by the book” and had left “no criminal damage” in the property.

The man said that although he did not know whether he had committed an offence, he “would like to go to court and prove my point”.

“This house could house 200 people. We have been doing a job the government should do. We have liberated the property for refugees,” he said.

Mr Deripaska, an industrialist, is worth about £2 billion and has had close links with the British political establishment.

In 2008, he was embroiled in a row involving Labour politician Peter Mandelson and the shadow finance minister George Osborne. Both men met Mr Deripaska on his yacht.

Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska was sanctioned by the UK government over his links to the Kremlin. Reuters
Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska was sanctioned by the UK government over his links to the Kremlin. Reuters

The oligarch has a multimillion-pound property portfolio in Britain and stakes in En+ Group, an Anglo-Russian green energy and metals company.

Announcing the sanctions last week, the UK government said Mr Deripaska is “a prominent Russian businessman and pro-Kremlin oligarch”, who is “closely associated” with the government in Moscow and its president. Ministers said he is “involved in destabilising and threatening” Ukraine.

The British government said the oligarch had “been involved in obtaining benefit from or supporting the government of Russia, by carrying on business in, and owning or controlling and working as, a director or equivalent in businesses in the Russian extractives and energy sectors” particularly useful to the Kremlin.

Opposition MPs have criticised the British government’s sanctions regime, saying that ministers did not act soon enough.

Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich, who owns Chelsea Football Club, is the most prominent person to face sanctions by the UK over his links to the Kremlin.

The government last week froze the billionaire’s assets and imposed a travel ban which prevents him from entering Britain.

Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Mr Abramovich, who holds Portuguese and Israeli passports, handed the day-to-day running of the football club to trustees of Chelsea’s charitable arm.

Days later, he announced he was selling the club and would donate the “net proceeds” to Ukrainians affected by the war.

But those efforts were not enough to shield him from sanctions imposed by the British government and the punitive measures have put the sale of Chelsea on hold.

The EU is said to be considering a ban on exports of luxury vehicles worth in excess of €50,000 ($54,730) to Russia.

The proposed ban, which could be approved as early as Monday, would apply to models from several European car brands, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari and Porsche, diplomats said.

Sources told Bloomberg the ban would also apply to boats and planes, as well as chairlifts and motorbikes worth more than €5,000.

Police officers detain a woman in central Moscow, during a protest against Russian military action in Ukraine. AFP
Police officers detain a woman in central Moscow, during a protest against Russian military action in Ukraine. AFP
Children look at phones as people who fled the conflict in Ukraine wait outside an immigration office in Brussels, Belgium. Reuters
Children look at phones as people who fled the conflict in Ukraine wait outside an immigration office in Brussels, Belgium. Reuters
Soldiers stand next to a bus with a damaged windscreen, after an attack on the Yavoriv military base, in Novoyavorivsk, Ukraine. Reuters
Soldiers stand next to a bus with a damaged windscreen, after an attack on the Yavoriv military base, in Novoyavorivsk, Ukraine. Reuters
A soldier waits at a hospital after the attack on the Yavoriv military base. Reuters
A soldier waits at a hospital after the attack on the Yavoriv military base. Reuters
A wounded soldier is transported by medical workers, at a hospital in Novoyavorivsk, after the attack on the Yavoriv military base. Reuters
A wounded soldier is transported by medical workers, at a hospital in Novoyavorivsk, after the attack on the Yavoriv military base. Reuters
Rescuers work at the site of an accident after a bus that was carrying about 50 Ukrainian refugees overturned near Forli, central Italy. One person died in the crash. AFP
Rescuers work at the site of an accident after a bus that was carrying about 50 Ukrainian refugees overturned near Forli, central Italy. One person died in the crash. AFP
A man wounded in the air strikes at a nearby military complex is assisted by medical staff outside Novoiavorivsk District Hospital. Getty Images
A man wounded in the air strikes at a nearby military complex is assisted by medical staff outside Novoiavorivsk District Hospital. Getty Images
Paramedics find low ground after an air-raid siren sounds on the outskirts of Novoiavorivsk. Getty Images
Paramedics find low ground after an air-raid siren sounds on the outskirts of Novoiavorivsk. Getty Images
A view of a residential building damaged during an air strike, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Chernihiv, Ukraine. Reuters
A view of a residential building damaged during an air strike, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Chernihiv, Ukraine. Reuters
A tram damaged by shelling sits at a depot, in Kharkiv. AP
A tram damaged by shelling sits at a depot, in Kharkiv. AP
An abandoned doll next to a car riddled with bullets in Irpin, north of Kyiv. AFP
An abandoned doll next to a car riddled with bullets in Irpin, north of Kyiv. AFP
A Ukrainian soldier holds a Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon that was used to destroy a Russian armoured personal carrier in Irpin. AFP
A Ukrainian soldier holds a Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon that was used to destroy a Russian armoured personal carrier in Irpin. AFP
Residents try to strengthen the wall of a house damaged by recent shelling, on the outskirts Kyiv. AFP
Residents try to strengthen the wall of a house damaged by recent shelling, on the outskirts Kyiv. AFP
Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a house after shelling in Kyiv. AFP
Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a house after shelling in Kyiv. AFP
A convoy of pro-Russian troops outside the separatist-controlled town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. Reuters
A convoy of pro-Russian troops outside the separatist-controlled town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. Reuters
Smoke from shelling rises behind a wreath at a cemetery in Vasylkiv, south-west of Kyiv. AP
Smoke from shelling rises behind a wreath at a cemetery in Vasylkiv, south-west of Kyiv. AP
A woman stands outside a local hospital, damaged during fighting in Volnovakha. Reuters
A woman stands outside a local hospital, damaged during fighting in Volnovakha. Reuters
People gather in the basement of a local hospital, which was damaged during clashes in Volnovakha. Reuters
People gather in the basement of a local hospital, which was damaged during clashes in Volnovakha. Reuters
A Ukrainian soldier leaves a damaged building after shelling in Kyiv. AFP
A Ukrainian soldier leaves a damaged building after shelling in Kyiv. AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. AFP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. AFP
A finance police officer boards Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko's superyacht, which has been sequestered at the northern port of Trieste, Italy. Reuters
A finance police officer boards Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko's superyacht, which has been sequestered at the northern port of Trieste, Italy. Reuters
A Russian KA-52 gunship strikes a Ukrainian military object. AFP
A Russian KA-52 gunship strikes a Ukrainian military object. AFP
Bystanders watch what appears to be Russian forces arresting Ivan Fedorov, mayor of Melitopol, a city in south-eastern Ukraine. Reuters
Bystanders watch what appears to be Russian forces arresting Ivan Fedorov, mayor of Melitopol, a city in south-eastern Ukraine. Reuters
Firefighters battle a blaze at a warehouse storing frozen products hit by shelling in Kvitneve, Kyiv region. Reuters
Firefighters battle a blaze at a warehouse storing frozen products hit by shelling in Kvitneve, Kyiv region. Reuters
A soldier loads the cargo hold of a chartered Boeing 747 airplane with duffle bags belonging to US soldiers, during their deployment to Europe, at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. AP
A soldier loads the cargo hold of a chartered Boeing 747 airplane with duffle bags belonging to US soldiers, during their deployment to Europe, at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. AP
Two young girls pray for peace in Ukraine at Lisbon's 16th century Jeronimos Monastery. AP Photo
Two young girls pray for peace in Ukraine at Lisbon's 16th century Jeronimos Monastery. AP Photo
A volunteer of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces walks on the debris of a car wash destroyed by Russian bombing in Baryshivka, east of Kyiv. AP Photo
A volunteer of the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces walks on the debris of a car wash destroyed by Russian bombing in Baryshivka, east of Kyiv. AP Photo
Volunteers pass an improvised path under a destroyed bridge as they help an elderly resident in Irpin, north-west Kyiv. AP Photo
Volunteers pass an improvised path under a destroyed bridge as they help an elderly resident in Irpin, north-west Kyiv. AP Photo
A woman who was evacuated from Irpin kisses a cat wrapped in a blanket at a triage point in Kyiv. AP Photo
A woman who was evacuated from Irpin kisses a cat wrapped in a blanket at a triage point in Kyiv. AP Photo
An explosion is seen in an apartment building after a Russian army tank fires in Mariupol. AP Photo
An explosion is seen in an apartment building after a Russian army tank fires in Mariupol. AP Photo
A Russian army tank moves through a street on the outskirts of Mariupol. AP Photo
A Russian army tank moves through a street on the outskirts of Mariupol. AP Photo
Tonya Steyn, office manager and volunteer co-ordinator, sorts through medical supplies at the non-governmental organisation, SOS International headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. AFP
Tonya Steyn, office manager and volunteer co-ordinator, sorts through medical supplies at the non-governmental organisation, SOS International headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. AFP
An overview of damaged buildings and burning fuel storage tanks at Antonov Airport in Hostomel, north-west of Kyiv. Maxar Technologies / AFP
An overview of damaged buildings and burning fuel storage tanks at Antonov Airport in Hostomel, north-west of Kyiv. Maxar Technologies / AFP
The destroyed main building of school number 25, after being bombed in Zhytomyr. EPA
The destroyed main building of school number 25, after being bombed in Zhytomyr. EPA
A supporter holds a sign to support Ukraine during Paris' mayor and 'Socialist party' (PS) presidential candidate's campaign meeting in Rennes, western France. AFP
A supporter holds a sign to support Ukraine during Paris' mayor and 'Socialist party' (PS) presidential candidate's campaign meeting in Rennes, western France. AFP

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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.

Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.

The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.

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Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place

Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai

First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group

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Family: Six sisters

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Updated: March 14, 2022, 7:12 PM`
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