economy
December 30, 2025
Luxury rubble: Real estate prices in Russian-occupied Donbas skyrocket despite widespread destruction, shelling, and water shortages
Housing prices in Russian-occupied parts of the Ukrainian Donbas have risen by 30% to 40% since 2020. For most local residents, housing has become entirely unaffordable. Paradoxically, proximity to the front line is what makes the housing “elite” — it is being bought up by Russian soldiers who have been deployed to Donbas and want to sleep in apartments rather than in dugouts or barracks. As a result, despite constant strikes, interrupted water supply, and the general chaos of war, apartments in Donetsk can cost several times more than in the comparatively calm city of Rostov.
TL;DR
- Housing prices in Russian-occupied Donbas have increased by 30% to 40% since 2020.
- This price increase has made housing unaffordable for most local residents.
- Proximity to the front line is a key factor in the housing price surge.
- Russian soldiers are buying up apartments to avoid living in dugouts or barracks.
- Apartment prices in Donetsk are now significantly higher than in Rostov.
Continue reading
the original article