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Thousands of Russian Entities Accused of Looting Occupied Mariupol Economy, Report Reveals
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![Amira_barkhush]( "Photo of Amira Barkhush")
More than 1,000 Russian government bodies and 1,200 private companies are believed to be involved in the illicit funding and business seizures in the temporarily occupied Mariupol, the southeastern Ukrainian city seized by Russia following its 2022 invasion, according to a new report published by Serious Organized Crime & Anti-Corruption Evidence on May 14.
The study, titled “Looting Mariupol: Russia’s Use of Illicit Finance and Economic Crime in Ukraine,” identifies key individuals and businesses driving and profiting from the economic exploitation of the city under Russian occupation.
To investigate the mechanisms of illicit funding and business seizures in Mariupol, the researchers developed the Russian Illicit Finance in Occupation (RIFO) Database.
The database contains detailed records of more than 1,000 Russian officials and institutions involved in the city’s occupied economy. It points to potential illicit financial activities, including abuse of authority and involvement in asset theft. It also reveals the official and administrative structures supporting Russia’s policy of de-Ukrainianizing Mariupol and other occupied territories.
A second dataset, detailing over 1,200 entities operating in occupied Mariupol’s economy, may include indicators of profiteering from corruption and fraud. Some of these companies are also believed to provide services to Russian security forces implicated in alleged war crimes or violations of the laws of occupation.
A third dataset identifies more than 180 Russia-based companies potentially involved in business takeovers carried out without the consent of the prior owners, which may give rise to claims of fraud, theft and/or pillage.
The report examines Russia’s investment program in occupied Mariupol, which has been accompanied by the unlawful seizure of thousands of Ukrainian homes, businesses, and assets. It highlights widespread allegations of corruption, fraud, and profiteering, as well as the emergence of new Russian business networks that are capitalizing on the wartime economy.
According to the researchers, many of these economic activities may constitute criminal offenses and potentially amount to war crimes.
On April 17, a BBC investigation revealed that Russian-installed authorities in Mariupol are systematically confiscating thousands of homes from Ukrainian residents, particularly those who fled during the war.
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