Russian businesses take control of Ukrainian resorts declared ownerless on Azov coast

Russian occupation authorities have classified at least 521 hotels and holiday resorts along Ukraine's Sea of Azov coast as "ownerless", according to a Reuters video investigation published on 2 November. At least 77 of those properties have already passed into the control of Russian businesses, while hotels appearing on the lists are being marketed to holidaymakers.

Reuters based its findings on an examination of orders from occupation authorities, corporate and property records, and plans for tourism development. Journalists also reviewed hundreds of photographs and videos to investigate what had happened to the coastal accommodation properties and how they were being used.

The process described in the investigation required owners in 2022 to appear in person before the occupation administration with their passports and property documents. They were allowed just three days to do so. Properties whose owners did not meet that requirement were formally recorded as ownerless, including those belonging to Ukrainians who had escaped the invasion and could not return.

At least 20 resort properties appearing on the lists have come under the control of a Russian state entity. The investigation examined hotels in Kyrylivka, including the Admiral and Perlyna Tavrii, as examples of properties affected by the occupation authorities' actions.

The Ukrainian owners of Perlyna Tavrii told Reuters they had never transferred management of their hotel to the occupation administration or to any other party. They also said they had not given permission for it to operate. Russian corporate records showed that, between 2023 and 2025, the company running the hotel belonged to the son of Yevgeny Balitsky, Moscow's appointed leader of the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

New Russian websites, social media accounts and bloggers are being used to promote the hotels. Reuters found ten hotels previously designated as ownerless among the accommodation options offered by a single Russian tour operator.

Some properties, however, are still closed. Reuters journalists tried to reserve a room at the Admiral in July but were told it had not opened for the summer 2026 season.

The findings follow a CIR investigation reported on 22 October into Russia's financial control over occupied territories. Occupation administrations are also making access to certain social benefits dependent on having accounts with Russia's Promsvyazbank.