Pillaging Ukraine’s Natural Resources

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the widespread and systematic pillage of Ukraine’s natural resources has severely weakened the country’s economy and recovery prospects. Minerals, coal, oil, gas, and other assets are allegedly being extracted and trafficked by Russian State-linked and private actors in violation of IHRL, IHL, and ICL. Given Ukraine’s critical mineral reserves and Europe’s push for energy diversification, accountability for resource pillaging will remain a central issue, including in any future peace negotiations.

The Mobile Justice and Business and Human Rights Teams support Ukrainian prosecutors and investigators in documenting and analysing the pillage of natural resources. The project focuses on mapping exploitation, identifying responsible actors, and strengthening cases under international humanitarian and human rights law, criminal law, and business and human rights standards.

The main objective of the project is to assist the Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG), regional prosecution offices (RPOs) and investigative entities in Ukraine with mapping natural resources exploitation, identifying relevant actors involved in pillaging schemes, including entities profiting from illegal trafficking and sale, and monitoring financial transactions associated with the illicit sale of natural resources to identify links to entities financing the Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Drawing on GRC’s long-standing presence in Ukraine and its unique ability to bridge atrocity crimes expertise with business and financial accountability, the project assists Ukrainian authorities in advancing accountability for the illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, including by strengthening evidence-based cases across criminal, human rights, and business and human rights frameworks.