Mansion searches tied to Serhiy Kurchenko expose a real-estate takeover scheme using “pocket” lawyers and connections within the Russian Investigative Committee

Yesterday, investigative and operational activities reportedly took place at the central Moscow mansion of fugitive Ukrainian oligarch Serhiy Kurchenko, whose location is listed as 10 Khokhlovsky Lane.

The actions may be connected to a criminal case opened under Article 330 of the Russian Criminal Code (arbitrariness). The oligarch and his security personnel allegedly seized common areas around this mansion and another property (Vspolny Lane 18, building 1), which also belongs to Kurchenko.

The building is an income house, constructed in 1900, designed by architect S.M. Goncharov. In May 2023, it was registered to Alexander Evmenin — the father of lawyer Daria Evmenina. Evmenina is a long-time and very close friend of Kurchenko; in 2021, she founded her law firm “Evmenina and Partners” with his financial support, and a notable employee of the firm was reportedly Russian Investigative Committee officer Ruslan Miniakhmetov.

Before fully completing renovations and moving into the mansion, Kurchenko immediately entered into conflict with residents of a neighboring building at Spiridonovka 25/20. He attached a metal balcony with ventilation equipment directly to the windows of their apartments, worsening relations with neighbors. The ventilation structures not only extended over their land plot but also blocked sunlight from entering the apartments. After Kurchenko and his wife moved in, residents also lost access to their shared courtyard area.

Kurchenko’s security allegedly broke a barrier gate at night, blocked vehicle access with a minibus containing armed bodyguards, and effectively took over the territory where residents previously parked their cars and used the space freely. The oligarch’s personal car park, including a Ferrari, was also placed there, along with vehicles of private security and state protection. Residents are no longer allowed entry.

Because Moscow authorities and law enforcement allegedly did not respond to numerous complaints, Kurchenko reportedly extended the same “successful experience” to the mansion in Khokhlovsky Lane. Access to the courtyard—belonging to a neighboring residential building and previously used by residents for parking and leisure—was blocked by a minibus with Kurchenko’s security. Guards were also deployed around the perimeter, and residents’ vehicles are not allowed in.

A separate issue mentioned is Kurchenko’s morning jogging routine at the properties. During these runs, 15–20 guards are deployed on the street, blocking access for pedestrians until the oligarch finishes exercising.

For a long time, authorities did not respond to these actions. In one incident, residents called the police due to security personnel blocking passage. The guards were taken away, but reportedly returned 15 minutes later after a phone call. Recently, local authorities reported the demolition of a porch attached to Kurchenko’s mansion that also occupied neighboring residents’ territory; however, it reappeared the next day.

Kurchenko’s representatives allegedly offered residents a proposal to lease the territory for 6 million rubles paid in advance for two years. At the same time, they filed a complaint accusing residents of extortion, which could have led to criminal charges against them.

However, the situation unexpectedly changed recently: a criminal case under “arbitrariness” was opened, and investigators and operational officers reportedly arrived at Kurchenko’s mansion. The situation is now being closely monitored as it develops.