A protest on the balcony of a mansion believed to belong to Russian President, Vladimir Putin’s ally, Oleg Deripaska, is intensifying, despite the arrival of riot police.
The protesters intimated that they were reclaiming 5 Belgrave Square, in central London, for Ukrainian refugees.
Billionaire energy tycoon, Mr. Deripaska is one of the oligarchs sanctioned by the UK government following Russia’s invasion on Ukraine. Riot police entered the property earlier but found nobody inside.
The Metropolitan Police said it is “continuing to engage with those on the balcony as we balance the need for enforcement with the safety of all involved”.
The protesting group is known as the London Makhnovists, after the Ukrainian anarchist, Nestor Makhno, who revolted against the Russian White Army between 1918-1921.
Standing on the balcony, one of the protesters told reporters that they [protesters] were doing the government’s work for them by reclaiming the building for refugees fleeing their homeland to find safety elsewhere as a result of the ongoing Russian invasion.
He (one of the protesters) said: “[Home secretary] 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 belongs 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.”
One of the protesters
The Metropolitan Police was called to the scene at 01:00 GMT, when a spokesperson reported that a number of people had “gained entry” to the “large and complex” property.
Shortly after, eight police vans pulled up outside the mansion at about noon and Riot Officers attempted to gain entry. A ladder placed against the balcony was pushed over by the protesters and officers started drilling through the front door.
A police spokesperson said they searched the mansion and were “satisfied” that no protesters were inside, although four men remained on the edge of the balcony. Officers said they are “considering the appropriate next steps”.
One social media account supporting the protesters online, ‘Resist London’, noted that the group was protected by “the protest defence” because they had no intention of living and sleeping there.
In response, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman said: “Squatting in residential buildings is illegal.”
“But we are working to identify the appropriate use for seized properties while owners are subject to sanctions.”
Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman
The PM’s Spokesman also revealed that Downing Street is examining whether the properties of sanctioned oligarchs could be used to house Ukrainian refugees, although the decision will require the preparation of a new legislation to that effect.
“Certainly, that’s something we are looking at. I think in the first instance the two (visa) routes that we have are how we expect people will be housed in the UK, either through family or through this sponsorship route.”
UK Prime Minister’s Spokesperson
Ivan, who was passing by, said he is originally from Lviv in western Ukraine and is fully in support of the protest.
“I think it’s very good,” he said, adding that he believed the mansion belonged to Mr. Deripaska, who is “a friend of Putin”. Ivan said, “My people are suffering and they need help”.
