This investigation, initiated by the National Jurisdiction Against Organized Crime (Junalco) on March 7, has led to significant seizures since its inception.

Authorities suspect that the funds used to purchase these properties were obscured and not properly disclosed, raising strong suspicions of money laundering.

This effort aligns with the French Ministry of Justice's priority to identify illicit Russian assets and dismantle opaque financial structures following the invasion of Ukraine.

The seized assets are linked to Russian businessmen Ruslan Goryukhin and Mikhail Opengeym, both of whom reportedly hold Cypriot passports.

Goryukhin has ties to the Russian energy sector and connections to a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the political implications of the investigation.

The total value of the confiscated assets exceeds 70 million euros, reflecting a broader strategy to target assets acquired through illicit means since the Ukraine conflict began.

French authorities have seized over 70 million euros worth of real estate belonging to Russian oligarchs as part of an ongoing investigation into aggravated money laundering.

The Paris prosecutor's office has confiscated several luxury villas and cars on the French Riviera, including a 22.5-hectare estate in Grasse and villas in Saint-Raphaël and Grimaud.

Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the European Union has enacted extensive sanctions against Russia, targeting its economy and Kremlin associates.

The French government has faced challenges in identifying and seizing assets often owned by foreign shell companies, complicating the enforcement of these sanctions.

Opengeym's name appeared in the Pandora Papers, which exposed tax avoidance schemes of wealthy individuals and politicians, further complicating his financial dealings.

The investigation has extended to financial intermediaries and legal professionals, including a notary in Grasse who allegedly facilitated suspicious transactions.