The Ukrainian Ministry of Justice has initiated legal proceedings to impose sanctions against former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and his son, Oleksiy Azarov. This action, filed on May 6, 2026, in the High Anti-Corruption Court, aims to seize assets in accordance with the country’s sanctions law.
Mykola Azarov served as Prime Minister from 2010 to 2014 during the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych. Following the Euromaidan protests, he left Ukraine and is alleged to have supported Russian actions related to the annexation of Crimea. The Ministry of Justice claims he has publicly questioned the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government since then.
In the context of the ongoing conflict, the ministry has accused Azarov of disseminating Russian propaganda aimed at justifying aggression against Ukraine.
Oleksiy Azarov, a former member of parliament and businessman, also left Ukraine in 2014. According to the Ministry of Justice, he has been conducting business activities in Russia through a network of companies. These entities are purportedly involved in supporting the military aggression against Ukraine by paying taxes to the Russian budget and producing relevant goods.
The Ministry intends to recover assets owned by both Mykola and Oleksiy Azarov, either directly or through third parties. The targeted assets include real estate and land in Kyiv and surrounding areas, financial resources, corporate rights, and valuable items such as books, icons, and jewelry.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Justice has filed a lawsuit to impose sanctions on Mykola Azarov and his son, citing their alleged support for Russian actions against Ukraine. The ministry aims to seize various assets linked to the Azarovs as part of this legal action.