In a ruling handed down on 2 November, the International Arbitral Tribunal seated in the Hague has ordered Russia to pay DTEK $267 million in damages for the seizure of company assets in illegally occupied Crimea.
The lawsuit, first filed in 2017, relates to the seizure of the Group's DTEK Krymenergo business, an energy distribution and supply company. Russia seized the assets following the occupation of Crimea in 2014.
DTEK intends now to initiate without delay the process for recognition and enforcement of the award in countries where Russian assets are located. The award is enforceable under the 1958 New York Convention.
The court’s award includes interest and legal costs up to the date of the award. Interest accrues until the aggressor state has paid the full amount of damages.
After the ruling, DTEK shareholder Rinat Akhmetov commented: "Russia should be under constant pressure – on the battlefield, through sanctions and also through legal means. I and my businesses will do everything to ensure this. We are working 24/7 to ensure that the enemy is brought to justice and pays for every crime committed. We will continue on this path until Russia is held accountable to all Ukrainians for the evil and destruction it has caused.”
Marney Cheek, a partner at Covington & Burling LLP, which represented DTEK in the case commented: “Today's ruling marks another milestone in holding Russia accountable for its expropriation of Ukrainian investments in Crimea.”
