Former CJI Chandrachud Named Russia's Arbitrator in Hundreds-of-Millions-Dollar Fight with Ukrainian Bank: Report
The appointment sets up a three-member tribunal in a new treaty case over alleged losses in four occupied regions, with Oschadbank seeking compensation.
- On April 7, 2026, Russia appointed former Chief Justice of India Chandrachud as an arbitrator in a new investment treaty dispute brought by Ukraine's state-owned Oschadbank over assets lost during the war.
- Oschadbank claims it lost substantial assets in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia because of Russia's conduct, prompting this arbitration under the Russia-Ukraine BIT.
- Moscow's selection of Chandrachud is notable given Russia's previous attempts to appoint former Indian chief justices to arbitrate disputes involving Wintershall Dea and Ukrainian utility Ukrenergo.
- While this case is legally distinct from Oschadbank's earlier Crimea arbitration, which yielded an award of about $1.111 billion against a $1.409 billion claim, the new proceedings face jurisdictional complexity.
- The tribunal must determine whether the BIT's 10-year survival provision protects the bank's investments, as Ukraine terminated the Agreement in January 2025, potentially limiting the claim's scope.
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13 Articles
Russia appoints former CJI DY Chandrachud as arbitrator in investment treaty dispute with Ukrainian bank: Report
Oschadbank claims that it lost assets and operations in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia after Russian military actions in Ukraine.
Former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has been appointed by Russia as its arbitrator in an investment dispute with Ukraine's state-owned bank Oshchadbank. The case relates to alleged damage to the bank's assets and business during the Russia-Ukraine war. A three-member international tribunal will hear the matter.
Russia picks ex-CJI DY Chandrachud for legal battle with Ukrainian bank
Former CJI DY Chandrachud has been appointed Russia's arbitrator in a treaty dispute with Ukrainian state-owned bank Oschadbank, months after he reportedly declined earlier approaches to represent Moscow in separate arbitration proceedings involving Wintershall Dea and Ukrenergo.
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