The State Property Fund of Ukraine conducted an online auction for the sale of an apartment owned by Russian designer and propagandist Artemy Lebedev. The winning bidder was “Center for Research of Unmanned Systems” LLC, known for producing “General Chereshnya” drones. The company announced its intention to establish a space for new Ukrainian culture in the premises.
The results of the auction were reported by the State Property Fund.
The property in question is a three-room, duplex apartment spanning 138.5 sq. m, located on Yaroslaviv Val Street in the heart of Kyiv, in close proximity to the historical landmark “Golden Gate.” The initial price for the object was set at 10.58 million UAH.
Following open competitive bidding, the final price of the apartment reached 13,500,001 UAH, exceeding the starting price by nearly 3 million UAH. The successful bidder was “Center for Research of Unmanned Systems” LLC — a Ukrainian developer and manufacturer of FPV drones and “General Chereshnya” unmanned aerial vehicles.
The State Property Fund reminded that funds derived from the sale of sanctioned assets are directed to the Fund for the Elimination of the Consequences of Armed Aggression, intended for the subsequent recovery of the state.
“This apartment is no longer a symbol of the Russian propagandist’s impunity. From now on, it serves as another illustration of how property belonging to individuals who supported the war against Ukraine is transformed into a resource for our nation’s restoration. Sanctions carry not only political but also very real economic repercussions,” stated the fund’s post.
On social media, “General Chereshnya” announced the acquisition of the apartment “on principle for public benefit.” Plans are underway to transform the space into a hub for new Ukrainian culture, with further project details to be disclosed later.
“Lebedev’s apartment is situated in the very historical center of Kyiv — near the Golden Gate. It’s a superb location, but a Russian propagandist has no business being there.”
Information Regarding Artemy Lebedev’s Activities
Artemy Lebedev is a Russian designer, blogger, and propagandist who has openly endorsed the Russian occupation of Crimea and condemned the Revolution of Dignity.
In 2017, the Security Service of Ukraine imposed a five-year ban on his entry into the country due to activities deemed detrimental to national interests in the sphere of information security. His attempts to appeal this decision were unsuccessful, with the court upholding the ban.
In January 2022, the designer was subjected to Ukrainian sanctions. Subsequently, in February 2023, YouTube blocked Lebedev’s channel for supporting Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
Later, in March 2023, the SBU officially notified Lebedev of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, pertaining to the justification, legitimization, and denial of the Russian Federation’s armed aggression against Ukraine, as well as the glorification of its participants.
Furthermore, he visited the territory of the occupied “Azovstal” plant and posed for photographs on the roof of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, where he produced a report for Kremlin-affiliated media outlets, disseminating it through his social media channels with a following of half a million.
On July 10, 2023, the High Anti-Corruption Court fully granted the lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Justice, imposing a sanction on Artemy Lebedev — the confiscation in favor of the state of two apartments in the center of Kyiv, measuring 138 sq. m and 193 sq. m. One of these apartments is located on Yaroslaviv Val, and the other on Saksahanskoho Street.
In September 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers transferred these assets under the management of the State Property Fund. At that time, the fund indicated that following the state registration of ownership rights, decisions regarding their privatization or lease would be made, and proceeds from the sale of sanctioned assets would be channeled into the Fund for the Elimination of the Consequences of Armed Aggression.
Source: suspilne.media