US Justice Department reports seizure of apartments allegedly owned by Russian businessman

The US authorities confiscated two properties in Miami, belonging allegedly to a Russian businessman on the sanctions list in 2018. This was reported on January 7 on the website of the US Ministry of Justice.

"The Department of Justice <...> achieved the confiscation of two luxury condominiums in Miami, which were maintained, transferred and leased in violation of US sanctions against Russian citizen Viktor Perevalov. The total value of the seized real estate is about $1.8 million," the statement said.

The office specified that the claim for confiscation was filed with the court back in February 2024. The final decision was made in absentia on January 7.

Earlier, on January 3, the head of a venture capital fund in Silicon Valley said that the confiscation of Russia's assets could cause a default of the United States. In his opinion, such actions would lead to an increase in dollar inflation, a significant increase in interest rates and even a default on sovereign obligations.

Western countries have tightened sanctions pressure on Russia in connection with the special operation to protect Donbass. The decision to launch the operation was announced on February 24, 2022 after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.