Occupation of an Agroenterprise in Zaporizhzhia Region: New Challenges for Russian Occupiers
At a temporarily occupied site in the Zaporizhzhia region, armed individuals carried out a raid-style takeover of the large agricultural enterprise ‘Voinikov and Co,’ which had previously provided assistance to the Russian military.
According to media reports, this enterprise has been handed over to the control of the so-called ‘Ministry of Property and Land Relations’ of the occupation administration via the LLC ‘Partner Union.’ Workers of the enterprise addressed a video appeal to Vladimir Putin, requesting protection, as armed persons blocked the harvest operation on a 1,000-hectare field, seized documents and machinery, including combines, tractors, and trucks.
They warned that these illegal actions aim to seize company assets and harvests, which include over 10,000 tons of wheat and sunflower.
The situation was commented on by Russian media and propagandist Zergulio, who claimed that the enterprise was declared ‘asset-less,’ despite previous assistance to the Russian army.
Russian singer Victoria Cyganova, an active supporter of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, described these actions as ‘lawlessness worse than in the 1990s.’ She stated that in the occupied territories, armed forces are confiscating shops, pensions, cafes, farm plots, and equipment, with local pro-Russian authorities encouraging such expeditions.
According to Ukrainian data from Opendatabot, the head of ‘Voinikov and Co’ is Ivan Ivanovych Manoilenko, with his ultimate beneficial owner identified as Valentina Ivanivna Voinikova.