The Italian police have confiscated villas and yachts from high-ranking Russians who were put on the EU sanctions list after the Russian attack on Ukraine. Among others, we are talking about villas of billionaire Alisher Usmanov and propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, reports Obozrevatel.
This was reported by knowledgeable sources, writes the Italian La Reppublica. Information was also confirmed by Swiss newspaper SwissInfo. According to its data, the confiscated property is valued at 140 million euros ($153 million).
Confiscated villa Usmanov is located on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. Villa Solovyov - on Lake Como on the Italian mainland.
It is noted that over the past 20 years, Russian oligarchs have bought many villas in Italy. Sources say new assets are expected to be seized in the coming days as Western nations impose sweeping sanctions in an attempt to force Russia's troops out of Ukraine.
The Uzbek-born steel and telecommunications magnate Usmanov is well known in Italy for owning several properties in Sardinia. And propagandist Solovyov already complained on Russian TV about sanctions because he was afraid of losing his Italian villa.
And British Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Dominic Raab announced that the arrested mansions of Russian oligarchs in London and other cities will be used as refugee shelters. A special law will be passed for this purpose.