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Russia appoints Ex-CJI DY Chandrachud For Ukraine Legal Battle: Big Global Role After Supreme Court Exit
Samira Vishwas | August 12, 2026 6:24 PM CST

New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice DY Chandrachud has been appointed as Russia's arbitrator in an international investment dispute involving Ukrainian state-owned bank Oschadbank, according to reports.

The case is to a treaty dispute between Russia and Ukraine over alleged losses suffered by Oschadbank following Russia's military operations in Ukraine. The matter is being heard under the 1998 bilateral investment treaty between the two countries.

Dispute Over Losses In Ukrainian Regions

Oschadbank has accused Russia of causing major financial losses to its operations and assets in regions including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia.

The Ukrainian bank claims that its assets and business activities in these areas were affected after Russia launched its full-scale military operation in Ukraine in 2022.

The compensation claim is reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Three-Member Arbitration Tribunal

The arbitration panel will consist of three members.

Costa Rican arbitrator and former trade minister Dyala Jimenez has been appointed as the president of the tribunal after being selected jointly by Russia and Oschadbank.

Oschadbank selected Greek arbitrator and National University of Singapore professor Stavros Brekoulakis as its nominee, while Russia appointed Justice DY Chandrachud as its representative.

Earlier Russia Approaches Reportedly Declined

Justice Chandrachud's appointment comes months after reports that he had declined earlier requests to represent Russia in other arbitration matters involving companies such as Wintershall Dea and Ukraine's power transmission operator Ukrenergo.

Reports stated that those approaches were made while he was associated with another arbitration process and that he later stepped away after disclosing the communication.

DY Chandrachud's Post-Retirement Role

Justice DY Chandrachud served as the 50th Chief Justice of India from November 2022 to November 2024.

During his tenure, he headed several Constitution Bench hearings and delivered key judgments on issues to constitutional law, technology, elections and individual rights.

After retiring from the Supreme Court, Justice Chandrachud has continued to participate in legal and academic engagements.

International Legal Battle Continues

The Oschadbank arbitration is part of a series of international legal disputes linked to the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

The Ukrainian bank had earlier won an arbitration case against Russia over the alleged expropriation of its assets in Crimea following the 2014 annexation, with a tribunal awarding compensation of around $1.1 billion, including interest.

The latest case will now examine claims to losses suffered after the 2022 conflict and determine whether compensation is payable under the bilateral investment treaty.

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