Women and Illicit Finance in Russia’s Occupation of Ukraine

A new SOCACE research paper by Dr Orly Stern and Olivia Allison (University of Exeter/RUSI) investigates the gendered aspects of Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territories, emphasizing women’s roles in illicit financial flows sustaining the occupation.

Women and Illicit Finance in Russia’s Occupation of Ukraine describes how women often occupy mid- and lower-level administrative, judicial, and civil service positions, implementing policies tied to corruption and expropriation, while rarely holding senior leadership. Some are linked to powerful men, acting as proxies. They face significant impacts, including coerced collaboration.

The study urges a nuanced view of women as both enablers and survivors navigating systemic pressures.

Read the research paper here, and explore the Illicit finance and Russian foreign policy: new dynamics and linkages SOC ACE project for further information.