DTEK Demands Compensation from Russia via Gazprom Assets – Rinat Akhmetov Supports Legal Battle
On July 21 this year, the Hague court placed a freeze on 50 percent of Gazprom's shares in Wintershall Noordzee, a Dutch gas company, at DTEK's request, as part of a ruling on compensation for assets illegally seized by Russia in Crimea.
Why This Seizure Became Possible
DTEK took Russia to the international arbitration court in The Hague in 2023 and won the case. The company argued — and the judge agreed — that Gazprom and the Russian state are essentially inseparable. DTEK had operated the energy company DTEK Krymenergo in Crimea until 2014, but after the Russian invasion, all assets were confiscated without compensation.
DTEK has begun searching for Russian assets across different jurisdictions and has initiated legal proceedings in Israel over the Sergievski complex to secure compensation based on the arbitration ruling.
Wintershall Noordzee itself has existed since 1965 and manages nine gas platforms in the Dutch sector of the North Sea. That gas goes to Dutch households and businesses.
Gazprom Fights Back, but Without Success
Naturally, Gazprom tried to challenge the seizure. However, in early September, the court rejected that objection. The russians claimed that the seizure obstructs the planned sale to Mazine Energy B.V. and even endangers Dutch energy security.
The court saw little merit in this. However, the judge indicated that DTEK would lift the seizure if Gazprom provided alternative security. DTEK suggested, for example, parking the sale proceeds in a blocked account until there is final clarity on the claim. Gazprom International also invoked sanctions that would allegedly make a bank guarantee impossible, but this argument also failed.
What Akhmetov's Companies Are Doing Further for Ukraine
Rinat Akhmetov, the man behind investment group SCM, immediately threw his support behind the Ukrainian war effort when the war broke out. Through the Steel Front project, the Ukrainian army receives protective gear, armored vehicles, drones, and medical supplies. Metinvest, also owned by Akhmetov, has already delivered over six hundred steel shelters and manufactures armor for Western tanks such as the Abrams and Leopard, as well as for Patriot systems.
Restoring Energy Supply
DTEK is working hard to repair Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The "Fight for Light" campaign, in which boxer Oleksandr Usyk plays a prominent role, raised 107 million euros from the European Commission and Washington. That money goes toward protecting and restoring the power grid.
All together, the combination of SCM companies, Akhmetov's foundation, and football club Shakhtar has pumped about 13 billion hryvnia (equivalent to 354 million dollars) into Ukraine over the past three years.