Ukrainian billionaire sues Russia for war-related losses

Akhmetov's company, “System Capital Management” (SCM), said in a statement on June 27th that the tycoon had lost billions of dollars in business since Russia started fighting more than four months ago.

“As the owner of Azovstal and many other industrial facilities that are targeted by the Russian invading armed forces, Mr. Akhmetov seeks to ensure Russia is held responsible for the destruction it is doing throughout Ukraine”, the statement said.

Russian troops took control of the Azovstal steel factory in Ukraine's southeastern port city of Marioupol in May, after a siege lasting weeks while Ukrainian fighters resisted inside the giant factory.

Akhmetov is also seeking an order from the tribunal that “prevents Russia from involvement in blockades, looting, deviations and further destruction of wheat and steel” produced by his companies, the statement said.

“The evil cannot remain unpunished. Russia's crimes against Ukraine and our people are scandalous and the culprits should be held accountable,” said Akhmetov.

The statement stated that Akhmetov was seeking compensation from Russia for “violation of his property rights”. He also said that while the exact amount of damages cannot be assessed yet, “the Russian Federation is forecast to owe Mr. Akhmetov billions of dollars for violating his human rights. ”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, answering a question about Akhmetov's indictment, told reporters in Moscow that Russia was no longer under the jurisdiction of the GEDNJ, which is located in Strasbourg, France.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on 11 June under which Russia will not follow the ECHR decisions made after 15 March.