Squatters Take Over Russian Oligarch's Mansion In London

Squatters have occupied a Russian Oligarch's mansion in London, the Metropolitan Police have confirmed.

A spokesperson from Met Police told LADbible: "Police were called shortly after 01:00hrs on Monday, 14 March to a residential property in Belgrave Square, SW1. 

"Officers attended and found that a number of people had gained entry and hung banners from upstairs windows. 

"Officers remain at the location."

According to Twitter account @resist_london, who shared a photo of the alleged property, there seems to be one blue sign, one red sign, with the addition of a Ukrainian flag, that has been stuck onto the building.

The blue flag read: "This property has been liberated," in capitals.

While the red one read: "Putin go f*** yourself," along with a Russian translation.

The account claims that the 'Oligarch in question' was a 'war supporter, one of the sanctioned oligarchs'.

It also claims: "The squatters are using a version of the Section 6 notice known as the 'protest defense', in which they do not intend to live and sleep at the property, but are instead occupying it as a protest, on rotation.

"This is because of the 2012 law change on residential property."

Well, the UK government is looking into how they can turn the luxurious homes of Russian oligarchs into emergency housing for Ukrainian refugees.

Housing Minister Michael Gove unveiled the idea on the BBC's Sunday Morning programme, in a move that is sure to add insult to injury for the mega-rich Russians who have had their assets seized.

"I want to explore an option which would allow us to use the homes and properties of sanctioned individuals - as long as they are sanctioned - for humanitarian and other purposes," Gove said.

"There's quite a high legal bar to cross and we're not talking about permanent confiscation.

"But we are saying, 'you're sanctioned, you're supporting Putin, this home is here, you have no right to use or profit from it - and more than that, while you are not using or profiting from it, if we can use it in order to help others, let's do that'."

More than two million people have fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion, and some predict Britain and the EU may have to welcome up to 15 million refugees if Russian President Vladimir Putin pushes on with the assault.

The United Nations has described those fleeing Ukraine as the fastest-growing refugee crisis since WWII. 

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.