Protesters on Monday seized a mansion linked to the sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in one of central London's most exclusive addresses.
Banners were unfurled from the property at 5 Belgrave Square, including one stating "This property has been liberated", alongside the Ukrainian flag.
Police, who were called out in the early hours, set up a cordon before later using a drill to break open the front door to gain entry and used a crane to access the balcony.
One of those inside told AFP by telephone: "We are a property liberation front. That's what we do. It's not really squatting, it's liberating."
Another said: "Our intention is to use it to house (Ukrainian) refugees."
The activists criticised the length of time it may take to implement UK sanctions against those identified by the government as being part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle.
"They say it might take up to six months to seize their property. Come on, it's ridiculous," one said.
Deripaska is not listed on UK Land Registry records as the owner of the property in the upmarket Belgravia area, near Hyde Park and Queen Elizabeth II's Buckingham Palace.
Instead, the owners are listed as...
