UK Seizes £2.5bn from Chelsea Sale for Ukraine Reconstruction

The UK government will redirect £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea Football Club to aid Ukraine’s reconstruction. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has approved the plan. The funds are the frozen proceeds from the 2022 sale of the club by its former owner, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions froze his assets, including the money from the club's sale, which has been held in a UK bank account. The new government states the money will now be used for critical recovery projects in Ukraine. These include rebuilding damaged energy infrastructure, housing, and humanitarian demining. A government spokesperson confirmed the move, stating the funds will ensure "those who caused Ukraine's destruction will pay for its recovery."