Activists stormed a Russian oligarch’s mansion in London and unfurled a sign saying the property had been ‘liberated’

• Squatters have occupied a mansion belonging to a Russian billionaire and want to use it to house Ukrainian refugees. 
• The group has hung signs from the property saying “Putin go fuck yourself” and “This property has been liberated.” 
• UK police have gathered outside of the compound. 

Activists in London stormed a mansion reportedly belonging to a Russian oligarch early Monday and hung a sign from the building saying the property had been “liberated.” 

The group intends to “house Ukrainian refugees and refugees from all nations,” one member told reporters, according to the Telegraph. 

The squatters hung signs on the property and danced on the balcony above the street. 

“Putin go fuck yourself,” one of the signs says. “This property has been liberated,” reads another. 

The owner of the mansion wants to “destroy Ukraine homes,” one of the men said. “He supported the wars. This home belongs to Ukrainian refugees. There are families dying. Their land has gone. This is the least we can do.”

Squatters raided the mansion in Belgrave Square around 1:00 a.m. local time Monday. It is unclear if anyone was home at the time the activists entered the house.

According to the Guardian, the activists said they used “climbing skills” and “squatters’ magic” to get into the mansion.

The home reportedly belongs to Oleg Deripaska, a Russian billionaire and one of the oligarchs the UK has sanctioned over Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the Telegraph. 

There are at least five people staying in the mansion as of early Monday, the Telegraph reported. They belong to a group called the London Mahknovists, named for Nestor Makhno, an activist who led the charge for a stateless society in Ukraine during the Russian revolution of 1917.

They claim a larger group is coming to join them. 

The activists accused the British government of not doing enough to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian assault in their country. 

“[UK Home Secretary] Priti Patel, do not worry. We did your job. Refugees welcome,” one of the men said, according to the Daily Mail. 

Another added: “‘We are planning to stay until Putin stops the war. Putin is responsible for people losing their homes and lands. Sanctions are not enough. The Government has delayed action – they are playing games.”

“This government are not only acting illegally, they are acting immorally. This property belongs to Ukrainian refugees,” one of the squatters said. 

As of Monday morning, British police were massing outside the home and preparing to enter the property. The Metropolitan Police declined to comment on the situation.