Russia seizes Crimean home of Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska

A flat belonging to Ukraine’s first lady has been seized by Russian-installed authorities in Crimea that said they were nationalising another wave of Ukrainian assets on the annexed peninsula.

The Crimean peninsula was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, and in February last year, it launched its large-scale offensive in the country.

“Crimea is continuing to nationalise assets of Russia’s enemies,” the Kremlin-appointed governor of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, said on social media.

“A number of facilities are being transferred to the republic’s ownership.”

Mr Aksyonov said this included a flat in the historic resort of Yalta that belongs to Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He also said a building in the city of Simferopol that belonged to the Mejlis – a representative body of the Crimean Tatar Muslim minority – was included in the drive.

After its annexation of Crimea, Russia banned the Mejlis, declaring it an extremist organisation, and has jailed members of the community since.

Mr Aksyonov gave no further details on what other assets were seized.

Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska visits Washington – in pictures

US President Joe Biden and US first lady Jill Biden welcome Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska and Ukrainian ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova at the White House in Washington. Reuters

US President Joe Biden and US first lady Jill Biden wait to welcome Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska to the White House in Washington. AFP

US President Joe Biden and US first lady Jill Biden welcomes Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska to the White House. AFP

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, greet Olena Zelenska, spouse of Ukrainian’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, left, at the White House in Washington. AP

US President Joe Biden welcomes Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska at the White House in Washington. US

US first lady Jill Biden, second left, greets Olena Zelenska, spouse of Ukrainian’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, second right, in the Blue Room at the White House in Washington. AP

US first lady Jill Biden meets with Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska at the White House in Washington. Reuters

Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska (R), with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, arrives to speak to members of the US Congress in Washington. EPA

Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska attends a meeting with members of the United States Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Reuters

Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska speaks to members of the US Congress about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in the US Capitol Visitors Center Auditorium, in Washington. AFP

Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady, asked US lawmakers for more weapons during an address to Congress. AFP

First lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska gives an address to members of the United States Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington. EPA

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska (C) greets members of US Congress after giving an address in Washington. AFP

Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, tours the Victims of Communism Museum with Andrew Bremberg, President and CEO of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, left. AP

Olena Zelenska, spouse of Ukrainian’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accepts the Dissident Human Rights Award on behalf of the people of Ukraine for their fight against Russia from Dr. Edwin Feulner chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, at the Victims of Communism Museum in Washington. AP

Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks with Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova, after attending a meeting at the US Agency for International Development building in Washington. Reuters

Ukraine first lady Olena Zelenska walks out of the State Departmen in Washington after meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a closed-to-press meeting. AP

Russian authorities announced a previous wave of nationalisations in February.

The international community has not recognised Crimea as part of Russia.

As it prepares for a major counteroffensive against Moscow’s forces, Kyiv has repeatedly said it plans to take back Crimea.

Ukraine’s president and first lady appear in rare TV interview together – video