what does putin's yacht look like

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Italy won't say who's paying for the care of a $700 million superyacht tied to Putin

Dustin Jones

The Scheherazade, a 460-foot superyacht, has been held in Italy since May 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is believed to have ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Laura Lezza/Getty Images hide caption

The Scheherazade, a 460-foot superyacht, has been held in Italy since May 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is believed to have ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Scheherazade superyacht was impounded by the Italian government in May 2022 in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Instead of falling into disrepair, Italy has allowed its owner to maintain and refit the vessel, but it won't disclose who is footing the bill.

The Financial Times reported on Sunday that the vessel has been held at port in Marina di Carrara, located almost 90 miles northwest of Florence, since it was impounded by authorities in the spring of 2022. For over a year, the Italian government has permitted the owner to continue paying for the ship's staff, its maintenance and refitting of the vessel. But Italy won't identify the owner.

Italy's Finance Ministry said in a May 2022 news release that the superyacht had "significant economic and business links" with "prominent elements of the Russian government" but didn't name the owner of the ship.

Ukraine invasion — explained

Ravaged by russian troops, bucha rises from the ashes.

According to the website SuperYachtFan , the 460-foot superyacht belongs to Russian billionaire Eduard Khudainatov. However, Bloomberg News reported in 2022 that he is a "straw owner" of the superyacht — as well as another ship — and that the Scheherazade actually belongs to Putin.

The Financial Times reported that the Scheherazade has 22 cabins, two helicopter decks and a spa and that it's being refitted by the Italian Sea Group. NPR reached out to the Italian Sea Group for comment but did not hear back before publication.

The United States created Task Force KleptoCapture in the wake of Putin's war against Ukraine, aiming to hold Russian oligarchs accountable for evading sanctions. In its one year of operation, the task force has brought charges to at least 35 individuals and entities, NPR previously reported.

Part of those efforts included seizing luxury items belonging to billionaires with ties to the Kremlin. This includes items like a 348-foot yacht seized in Fiji in May 2022, which is valued at about $300 million and is now sitting in San Diego.

Watch CBS News

Satellite image shows super yacht linked to Putin out of reach of sanctions

By Catherine Herridge , Michael Kaplan, Andrew Bast, Jessica Kegu

March 3, 2022 / 7:30 AM EST / CBS News

As Europe and the U.S. bear down with a raft of aggressive sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, the super yacht he is believed to own has found safe harbor in a highly militarized port in Russian territorial waters. In new satellite imagery obtained by CBS News, the yacht can be seen docked in a port in Kaliningrad, near Russia's nuclear weapons operations. 

Experts say Putin's luxury vessel has become a symbol not only of his vast hidden wealth, but also of how challenging that money has been to find. 

"He's a KGB agent, so he's crafty. He knows how to hide when he needs to," said John Smith, former director of the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers and enforces all foreign sanctions.

Data from MarineTraffic, a global intelligence group, shows Putin's alleged yacht, the Graceful, left Germany two weeks before the invasion of Ukraine . 

Putin's government salary is said to be about $140,000, but that doesn't begin to explain the mansions, million-dollar watch collection and over-the-top yacht. 

"It would be fair to say he's among the richest men in the world," Smith said. 

Though he sells himself as a man of the people, his wealth is estimated to be more than $100 billion. 

Putin's critics allege he also has a cliffside palace that includes an amphitheater and a personal tunnel to the beach that doubles as a security bunker. 

"Of course, he doesn't acknowledge it as being his own," Smith said. "It doesn't fit with the public persona that he's trying to create to actually acknowledge it." 

Putin relies on his oligarch friends to shield his fortune from sanctions, Smith said. 

"So if he asked them to do something, they do it in terms of hiding assets, squirreling them in different parts of the globe, they will do what he needs," he said. 

Those who have tried to expose Putin's fortune have done so at great personal risk. 

Putin critic Boris Nemtsov was assassinated on a bridge in the shadow of the Kremlin in 2015. Sergei Magnitsky died in 2009 under questionable circumstances in prison after he exposed $230 million in fraud by Putin's friends. Putin publicly condemned Nemtsov's murder and claimed Magnitsky died of a heart attack.  

His most recent No. 1 critic, Alexei Navalny , who helped expose Putin's lavish palace, emerged as a political rival and found himself repeatedly jailed. He nearly died after being poisoned two years ago, though Putin has denied responsibility for the poisoning. 

"Putin's wealth is one of the most dangerous topics," said Russian journalist Roman Badanin, who spent two decades investigating Putin's financial web. 

Badanin said Russian authorities sought to intimidate and silence his reporting team. Six months ago, he reached his breaking point. 

"I fled the country. My apartment was searched twice. I have like three criminal charges against me back in Russia," he said. 

In his State of the Union address, President Biden said the U.S. and its allies are waging economic war on Putin and Russian oligarchs. 

"We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments and your private jets," Biden said. 

On Wednesday, the Justice Department announced the formation of a new task force that would target Russian oligarchs. 

"Russia is not a transparent economy," Smith said. "The U.S. and our allies have decent information on some of [Putin's] assets, I think a lot will remain a mystery for a long time in the future." 

The biggest financial hit for Putin would be sanctions on the energy sector, which Smith says the Russian president has used to build up his wealth for years. So far, Washington and the Europeans have been hesitant to do that. 

• Vladimir Putin

Catherine Herridge is a senior investigative correspondent for CBS News covering national security and intelligence based in Washington, D.C.

More from CBS News

U.S. sanctions Russian state media for raising money for troops in Ukraine

Putin warns West not to lift long-range missile restrictions on Ukraine

Civil rights icon endorses Kamala Harris "who follows in our footsteps"

LL COOL J on surprising VMAs audience with Public Enemy appearance

• Updated Terms of Use
• New Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Closed Caption Policy
• Accessibility Statement

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .

Inside Putin's luxury yacht: Photos show dance floor that morphs into pool, marble-and-gold bathroom and more

Putin's yacht estimated to be worth over $700 million.

Putin spokesman won't rule out nuclear attack against Ukraine

Kash Patel, former defense department chief of staff, discusses Russia's strategy to not take nuclear options off the table and warns against the use of chemical weapons which impact civilians for generations.

Photos showing the inside of Vladimir Putin 's yacht currently moored in Italy reveal a lifestyle of luxury and grandeur behind the autocratic Russian president, as his country faces severe international economic sanctions due to the ongoing war with Ukraine.

The yacht includes excessive features ranging from a gold toilet paper holder in a marble bathroom, and a tile dance floor surrounded by water that can shift below floor level to become a pool. For the full set of photos, visit The Sun .

"Every surface is marble or gold. There are countless swimming pools, a spa, a sauna, a theater, ballrooms, a gym, two helipads. It’s like a mini city," one of the builders of the yacht told The Sun.

Golden toilet paper roll holder on Putin's yacht.

RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES

Other features on the six-deck, 459-foot yacht include a self-leveling pool table, a 16-foot aquarium, a Jacuzzi, a dining room, a judo gym, two helicopter pads, six jet skis and more, according to the outlet.

Tile dance floor that transforms into a pool on Putin's yacht.

It even includes "a hospital," the builder said.

NEARLY 1,000 CIVILIANS DEAD IN UKRAINE; PUTIN PUTS SPIES ON HOUSE ARREST: LIVE UPDATES

Scheherazade, one of the world's biggest and most expensive yachts allegedly linked to Russian billionaires, is moored in the harbor of the small Italian town of Marina di Carrara, Italy, on March 23, 2022. (REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini)

"It is hard to swallow the fact that the most incredible ship in the world is owned by a man intent on bombing civilians in Ukraine," he continued. "And it is an unimaginable amount of wealth when the average Russian’s salary is £5,000 [$6,600] a year, and people there are struggling to eat."

The mega yacht called The Scheherazade, named after the character of a Persian queen in Middle Eastern folklore, is estimated to be worth upwards of $700 million, according to Putin opposition leader Alexi Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, or FBK.

Inside Vladimir Putin's luxury yacht.

NAVALNY REACTS TO 9-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE, CALLING ON RUSSIAN SUPPORTERS ACT AGAINST PUTIN REGIME ‘WAR CRIMINALS’

"Russian people paid for it. Putin needs his head flushing down that golden throne," an ex-crew member told The Sun.

Comfortable living inside Putin's yacht.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

As Russia's unprovoked war on Ukraine continues, there has been increased pressure on Italian officials to crack down on Russian yachts stationed along the country's coastline.

U.S. and European officials have been working to seize excessive yachts belonging to Putin's oligarch allies and moored in various NATO countries.

Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Email tips to [email protected] or on Twitter at @audpants.

Antisemitism Exposed

Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world."

By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use , and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

$700mn superyacht tied to Putin is being refitted while impounded

• $700mn superyacht tied to Putin is being refitted while impounded on x (opens in a new window)
• $700mn superyacht tied to Putin is being refitted while impounded on facebook (opens in a new window)
• $700mn superyacht tied to Putin is being refitted while impounded on linkedin (opens in a new window)
• $700mn superyacht tied to Putin is being refitted while impounded on whatsapp (opens in a new window)

Silvia Sciorilli Borrelli in Marina di Carrara and Henry Foy in Brussels

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

It has been 15 months since Italy impounded the Scheherazade, a $700mn superyacht linked to Vladimir Putin.

But the time the yacht has spent sitting in the Tuscan port of Marina di Carrara has not been wasted: Italy has allowed its unnamed, but sanctioned, owner to pay not just for its staff and maintenance, but also for it to be refitted.

The 140 metre-long yacht, which is only four years old and boasts 22 guest cabins with gold-plated bathrooms, two helicopter decks and a spa, is being refurbished by the Milan-listed Italian Sea Group.

The company confirmed that a “refit” of the ship continued after the asset was frozen by authorities, and that the yacht’s owner has been paying for the works and for maintenance, but declined to give further details, including the identity of the owner.

The Agenzia del Demanio, which manages seized assets, confirmed it had agreed, along with the finance ministry, to allow the ship’s owner to pay for the “maintenance works”, but declined to go into further detail because “information about frozen assets is classified”.

Italy has never publicly identified the yacht’s owner, although at the time it was seized it said there was “evidence of meaningful economic and business connections with prominent elements of the Russian government subject to EU sanctions”.

According to people with knowledge of the situation in Rome and Brussels the owner is Eduard Khudainatov, the former chief executive of the Russian state oil company Rosneft who was sanctioned by the EU in June 2022.

A Bloomberg report last year said US officials had alleged in court filings that Khudainatov was the “straw owner” of two yachts, including the Scheherazade, on behalf of Putin. The Financial Times traced the boat’s ownership to a Marshall Islands-based entity called Beilor Asset Limited.

Meanwhile researchers working for the jailed Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny have also alleged that the Scheherazade’s real owner is the Russian president, because a number of its crew were members of the Federal Protection Service, responsible for Putin’s security. The Kremlin denied the allegations at the time. The staff on board the yacht was subsequently replaced.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to a question from the Financial Times: “All rumors about this are unfounded.”

A European Commission spokesperson said that “members states are responsible for implementing sanctions,” and that asset freezes do not affect the ownership of the assets.

When asked about the payment scheme for the Scheherazade’s upkeep, the spokesperson said that “maintenance costs of frozen assets can be paid by the designated person” under a “standard derogation”.

Public authorities in the relevant member state can also pay the maintenance costs given the “risk that the designated person will not be willing to . . . or that the designated person will be denying beneficial ownership of the asset,” the spokesperson added.

Italy and the European Commission did not confirm who the “designated person” is for the Scheherazade.

The EU has imposed sanctions on almost 1,900 Russian individuals and entities since Moscow’s first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, freezing their assets and banning them from travelling around the bloc. The assets are frozen, rather than seized, and would be returned if sanctions are lifted.

According to a list of Russian assets seized in Italy seen by the FT, the Scheherazade is the only one whose owner is not specified. The vessel is merely described as: “superyacht Scheherazade sailing under the Cayman Islands flag with a value of around €650mn.”

Additional reporting by Stefania Palma in Washington

Promoted Content

Follow the topics in this article.

• European companies Add to myFT
• Russian business & finance Add to myFT
• Government of Russia Add to myFT
• Russia Add to myFT
• Vladimir Putin Add to myFT

• Charter & Brokerage
• Yacht Design & New Builds
• Tenders & Toys
• Superyacht Events Calendar
• Career & Training
• Departments
• Superyacht Crew Finances
• Sustainability
• Shipyards and Marinas
• Health & Wellbeing
• Polar Region
• Our Services
• Meet the Team

Vladimir Putin and His OTT Superyacht Collection

Vladimir Putin is one of the most polarising political figures in the world. Love him, or hate him, he has a stronghold over the Russian political system and is therefore likely to be in the public consciousness for many years to come. He has accumulated a massive estimated fortune of $70-200 billion and has made sure to spend it on what matters: building his own superyacht fleet (because one isn’t enough, apparently). Read on to find out all about the boats that make up his $150 million collection.

The Graceful

The Graceful is both the largest and most expensive yacht in Putin’s current collection. It was built by Sevmash in Russia before heading to Germany for outfitting by  Blohm + Voss  in 2014. The Graceful was then sold to the billionaire for a staggering $100 million. If you thought the outright cost was outrageous, wait until you hear its annual running costs ($5-10 million every year). The Graceful is a sleek and stylish steel/aluminium ship that features good looking design by  H2 . The yacht is a party palace, with space to accommodate up to 14 guests and a 15×10 foot dance floor to keep visitors entertained. When the dance floor is not in use, it handily transforms into a luxurious indoor pool.  

Chayka, which means ‘The Seagull’ in English, is the next superyacht belonging to Vladimir Putin. The 54m vessel was built in 2009 by the Turkish shipyard Turquoise Yachts. Two years later, after chartering the vessel, Putin decided to buy it for the Russian Presidential Administration. Chayka was purchased to host formal events and meetings between political figures. With a swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym and beach club as well as a 100sqm dining room, it certainly can’t be the worst place to go on a business trip. The superyacht is estimated to be worth $34-45 million.

The Olympia

The third superyacht owned by the Russian President (and apparently his personal favourite) is The Olympia. Built in 2002 by renowned Dutch shipbuilder  Feadship , the 57m vessel features interior design by Mark Hampton and John Gallagher. Not very much is known about this vessel, just that it is rumoured to have been a gift from Roman Abramovich to Putin. If the rumours are true, the vessel, which has an estimated cost of $35-50 million, surely has to be one of the most extravagant gifts ever given.

The final yacht owned by Vladimir Putin is the somewhat more humble Petrel, which measures 35m in length. Unfortunately, Petrel remains mysterious, with very little information available. We know that Petrel has a maximum speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 10 knots. The elegantly decorated cabins with private balconies can house 16 guests comfortably and 12 crew members. Whilst the price of the vessel is unknown, a similar model is known to have sold at $16.8 million, so a price tag in this region is likely.

If you enjoyed this article, you can find more superyacht news here

Superyacht Content

Related articles

It’s been a long ride but oceanco’s alfa nero finally has an owner, “love from above”: ayss’ drone video competition for superyacht crew, southampton international boat show 2024. what’s happening, meet sea masters costa rica at the monaco yacht show 2024.

Popular Posts

• Mental Health Awareness Week: Crew Welfare Round Table With UKSA
• Fear Of Burnout In Med Season?
• 8 Tips For Creating Healthier Drinking Habits For Yacht Crew
• Charter Itinerary: The Answer To Lengthy Itinerary Planning?
• OHANA: Superyacht Charter The Italian Way

Social media influencer and digital brand expert.

Superyacht Content brings you the latest in social news for the superyacht industry.

Keep up to date with us across our social channels, and don’t forget to hit that share button!

• Superyacht News
• Superyacht Jobs
• Superyacht Marketing

Join our Newsletter

• Your Name First Last
• Your Email *

Copyright © 2023 Superyacht Content | Website Design by Zonkey

Privacy | Credits | Get in Touch

A Peek Inside Vladimir Putin's $125 Million Dollar Yacht Collection

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Quick Links

The graceful, the olympia, the seagull.

Vladimir Putin is the first person that comes to mind when thinking of Russia . He had served as the President of Russia for eight years from 1999 to 2008 before he was reelected in 2012 and has been the Commander-in-Chief ever since. The President is known to downplay his net worth, claiming that he only earns $100,000 as an annual income salary for his role as the President . His statements of modest salary are questioned when reports arise that Putin has a net worth of a whopping $40 billion. Given his expensive tastes and properties, it is not a surprise that the Russian President is one of the wealthiest politicians in the world.

Putin has several castle-like estates in Russia and travels in style in his limousines. His other interests include owning a fleet of superyachts that are breathtaking inside and out. Let’s take a look at Vladimir Putin’s $125 million yacht collection.

The first yacht on the list is The Graceful, which is as elegant as the name suggests. Splashed in the affluent shade of white, it is 72 meters wide and has 2,685 tons of volume. As mentioned by Super Yacht Fan , The Graceful was built by Blohm and Voss in 2014 and designed by H2 Yacht Design. The superyacht features six cabins for the guests, which 12 people can occupy, and seven cabin crews that can hold 14 members.

RELATED:  Inside Russian Billionaire's $100 Million Yacht That Can Break Through Ice

The largest room is the Master Suite , followed by two VIP staterooms and three guest cabins. The yacht features a 50 by 10-foot pool, which can be converted into a dance floor with a flick of a button. The uncovered views of the yacht offer 360-degree views of the blue lagoons. The yacht costs an astonishing $100 million, and if that is not enough, it requires $5 to $10 million of annual costs for maintenance.

The most photographed and Putin’s favorite yacht, The Olympia, stands true to its name as it stretches 57 meters. Designed and built-in 2002, the yacht was put together at the Feadship shipyard. The speed of The Olympia is 16 knots with a range of 4,700 miles, as stated by It Boat . Putin is spotted cruising on the yacht with business leaders from around the world.

The Olympia costs $50 million and can accommodate up to 10 guests along with 16 crew members. The superyacht features a Presidential Cabin where Putin resides , which is located on a separate level. The size of his suite is one-third of the length of the yacht. It also features a jacuzzi and bar. The interior details of the yacht are kept a State secret which only adds to the mystery of The Olympia.

Built-in, a Turkish shipyard in 2009 by Proteksan Turquoise, The Seagull or Chayka in Russian is a 54 meters long superyacht under the purchase of the Russian Government. The yacht is built for long journeys of over 4,000 miles. The yacht can cruise to a speed of 14 knots with a range of 4,000 horses. The cost of The Seagull is expected to be over $34.85 million.

The luxurious explorer features spacious indoor and outdoor areas for guests to relax. It can accommodate 12 guests and 11 crew members at the same time. The Seagull has a large dining room, jacuzzi, gym, beach club, barbecue area, and a swimming pool. The Master Suite reserved for Putin has an ultra-luxurious bed, office, full bathroom, and a dressing room. The Seagull is also stocked with jet skis, fishing and diving equipment, and three inflatable boats for a quick mid-day sports activity.

The least known about and the smallest yacht on the list is The Petrel. Very little information is known about the yacht since the Russian President hasn’t been spotted using it as often as The Olympia and The Graceful. The Petrel is 35 meters long and has a maximum speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 10 knots, as noted by The Richest . The elegantly decorated cabins with private balconies can house 16 guests comfortably and 12 crew members.

For Putin to relax, there's also a sundeck with a jacuzzi installed for comfort . The main floor features a lounge featuring comfortable areas for everyone to sit and talk. While the exact price of the superyacht is still in question, the model similar to The Petrel costs $16.8 million. Being the least expensive on the list, it still costs more than a standard yacht owned by celebrities worldwide.

Vladimir Putin has different ways to travel in style, from his Presidential bulletproof car called The Beast to his incredible yacht collection. While the Russian President has only been spotted conducting business negotiations on his superyachts, they are the best solution for him to soak the sun and take some time off from work.

READ NEXT:  The Billionaire Bunker: Inside Ivanka Trump's $24 Million Mansion

Sources: Super Yacht Fan , It Boat , The Richest

• Luxury Lifestyle
• The Rich & Powerful

Recommended

Breaking news, inside putin’s $700m yacht, complete with gold toilet paper holder.

This yacht makes a Bond villain’s boat look like a dinghy.

Vladimir Putin, whose forces continue to attack Ukraine , spared no expense on his alleged $700 million superyacht, which comes complete with its own dance floor — and even golden toilet paper holders. Rumors that the boat belonged to him have been swirling since its construction; however, anti-Kremlin activists recently claimed that it is indeed Putin’s .

“It’s like a mini city,” an unnamed worker reportedly involved in its construction told the Sun of the 495-foot luxury vessel, which is moored in Marina di Carrara in Italy. “There are countless swimming pools, a spa, a sauna, a theatre, ballrooms, a gym, two helipads.” 

Known as Scheherazade — after the iconic Persian queen from literature — the opulent watercraft was reportedly estimated at £500 million ($6.6 million), although insider sources price it closer to £750 million ($990 million).

And it appears that Putin put his money where his boat is: Photos obtained by the Sun show the veritable maritime mansion and its six floors of swanky amenities. They include a 16-foot aquarium, multiple televisions — including a 15-foot beast spanning an entire wall — and a self-leveling pool table so that guests can play even when the sea turns turbulent.

There are also bathrooms outfitted with King Midas-evoking gold taps and toilet paper holders, plus a tile dance floor that converts into a pool. Scheherazade is thought to be one of only two ships in the world with that feature, the Sun reported; the other is Putin’s second yacht, Graceful.

Along with standard bling, the Russian president decked out the superyacht with personal touches, including a judo room with framed pictures of black belts, plus various books showcasing the autocrat’s worship of wealth.

“Every surface is either marble or gold,” an unnamed boatbuilder told the Sun of the glitzy vessel, which the worker finds especially obscene in light of current events.

“It is hard to swallow the fact that the most incredible ship in the world is owned by a man intent on bombing civilians in Ukraine,” he continued. “And it is an unimaginable amount of wealth when the average Russian’s salary is £5,000 a year, and people there are struggling to eat.”

The ritzy ship isn’t just built for pleasure cruises. Much like the baddie’s superyacht in the movie “Thunderball,” Scheherazade can supposedly transform from a party boat to a battleship in a flash with a state-of-the-art security system reportedly capable of shooting down drones.

If that wasn’t ostentatious enough, the superyacht-cum-aircraft-carrier also contains two helipads and a hangar than can house a helicopter, six Jet Skis, five dinghies and eight Seabob underwater scooters.

Scheherazade was built over two years ago. However, the vessel’s alleged ties to Putin came to light recently after activists affiliated with jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claimed that some of the crewmembers worked for the Federal Security Service, which handles the Russian leader’s security.

“To sum up, a dozen of Vladimir Putin’s personal guards and servants are constantly maintaining one of the world’s largest yachts docked in an Italian port,” investigative journalist and Navalny ally Maria Pevchikh wrote on Twitter Monday.

Meanwhile, during a Tuesday address to the Italian parliament, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky implored Italy to confiscate the assets of Putin and his supporters, who he claimed frequently traveled to Italy, the Guardian reported .

“Don’t be a resort for murderers,” he said, urging Italian authorities to seize every yacht “from the Scheherazade to the smallest ones.”

The ship is currently being investigated by authorities for potential ties to sanctioned Russians.

See the full set of image at The Sun

Despite the accusations, the Scheherazade’s British captain, Guy Bennett-Pearce, has denied that Putin has ever owned or even set foot on the vessel.

“I have never seen him. I have never met him,”  he told the New York Times , adding that the vessel’s owner was not on any sanctions list.

Earlier in March, Italian officials seized several superyachts owned by Russian oligarchs, including Alexey Mordashov’s 213-foot vessel , Gennady Timchenko’s 132-foot watercraft and Audrey Melnichenko’s $578 million, 469-foot superyacht.

The seizures are among the latest efforts to hit Putin and those close to him over Russia’s brutal assault against Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24. 

Advertisement

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Climate 100
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Wine Offers
• Betting Sites

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

$700m superyacht docked in Italy may belong to Putin, say US officials

459ft vessel currently in italian dry dock for repairs, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday

Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the us, thanks for signing up to the evening headlines email.

A $700m superyacht being repaired in an Italian dry dock may belong to Vladimir Putin , according to US intelligence officials.

The ownership of the 459ft Scheherazade has come under close scrutiny since Russia ’s unprovoked assault on Ukraine , and the vessel could be associated with Mr Putin, intelligence officials told The New York Times .

American officials told the newspaper that no final conclusions on ownership have been made, but the link backs up a claim made by a former crew member that it was for Mr Putin’s use.

The officials say that Mr Putin keeps little of his personal wealth in his own name, instead using homes and boats that are held in the name of Russian oligarchs.

Mr Putin spent long periods during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Black Sea city of Sochi, where the Scheherazade made trips in the summers of 2020 and 2021, the officials added.

The Biden administration is investigating ownership of super yachts associated with Russian oligarchs as part of the enormous sanctions levied on Russia.

The yacht is currently undergoing repairs in the Tuscan port of Marina di Carrara.

Guy Bennett-Pearce, the Scheherazade’s captain, has denied that Mr Putin owns the yacht, or has even has put a foot onboard it.

If the US government wanted to seize the yacht out would need the help of the Italian government before it left for Russian waters.

Following US and European Union sanctions against Russia, officials impounded a 213ft yacht owned by Alexei Mordashov in Imperia, Italy and Igor Sechin’s 280-foot yacht in the French port of La Ciotat.

Under US and most European laws, the frozen assets remain owned by the oligarch but cannot be transferred or sold.

Both men will continue to own their yachts but will be prevented by authorities from moving them to pro-Russian locations.

To seize a yacht government prosecutors would have to prove that the property was part of a crime.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

• AMERICA’S CUP
• SAILING WEATHER
• THE OCEAN RACE
• VENDÉE GLOBE

A look at Vladimir Putin’s $ 125 million yacht collection

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s $ 125 million yacht collection offers a glimpse into his luxurious life.

Vladimir Putin served as President of Russia for eight years from 1999 to 2008 before being re-elected in 2012 and has been the Commander-in-Chief ever since. He alleges that he alone makes $ 100,000 annually as president. But he is believed to have a net worth of $ 40 billion,…. and it is not surprising that he is one of the richest politicians in the world. Putin owns many properties and castles in Russia and travels in style in his limousines, as well as owning a fleet of impressive superyachts.

This is Vladimir Putin’s $ 125 million yacht collection.

THE GRACEFUL

The yacht is owned by an oil tycoon who got it as a gift from Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch & friend of Putin https://t.co/CeNd0NwdQR — Andrea Chalupa 🇺🇲 (@AndreaChalupa) June 16, 2017

The first yacht on the list is The Graceful , which is as elegant as the name implies. Sprayed in the rich hue of white, it has a beam of 72 meters and a volume of 2,685 tons. She was built by Blohm and Voss i n 2014 and designed by H2 Yacht Design . The superyacht has six guest cabins, which can accommodate 12 people and seven crew members.

The largest room is the Master Suite, followed by two VIP cabins and three guest cabins. The yacht has a 50 x 10 foot pool, which can be turned into a dance floor at the touch of a button. The boat’s open view offers a 360-degree view of the blue lagoons. The yacht costs a staggering $ 100 million and, if that’s not enough, it requires $ 5 to $ 10 million in annual maintenance costs.

President Putin hosted his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on his yacht on Saturday, after Belarus forced the landing of a Ryanair jetliner and arrested a journalist last week. Putin is pushing ahead with a $500 million loan to Belarus. More: https://t.co/0QsTF7F3Mg pic.twitter.com/RUBeVuDKGi — Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) May 30, 2021

Putin’s most photographed and loved yacht, the Olympia, which spans 57 meters. Designed and built in 2002 at Feadship . The Olympia’s speed is 16 knots with a range of 4,700 miles, and Putin is seen sailing the yacht with businessmen from around the world.

The Olympia costs $ 50 million and can accommodate up to 10 guests along with 16 crew members. The superyacht has a presidential cabin where Putin lives, which is on a separate level. The size of his suite is one-third the length of the yacht. It also has a Jacuzzi and a bar.

THE SEAGULL

Russia: PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin take ride on a yacht in Sochi pic.twitter.com/eqgAfy7g21 — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018

Built in 2009, a Turkish shipyard by Proteksan Turquoise , The Seagull or Chayka i n Russian is a 54 meter long superyacht bought by the Russian government. The yacht is built for long voyages of over 4,000 miles, and can travel at a speed of 14 knots with the 4,000 horsepower of it. The cost of The Seagull exceeds $ 34.85 million.

The luxurious explorer has spacious indoor and outdoor areas to relax 12 guests and 11 crew members at the same time. She has a large dining room, jacuzzi, gym, beach club, barbecue area and pool. Putin’s master suite features a luxurious bed, desk, full bathroom, and walk-in closet. The Seagull is also equipped with a jet ski, diving and fishing gear, and three inflatable boats for a quick sporting activity in between.

It is the least known and smallest yacht on the list. Very little is known about the yacht, as she does not use it as often as The Olympia and The Graceful . The Petrel has a length of 35 meters and gives a maximum speed of 14 knots and 10 of cruising.

Her staterooms with her private balcony can accommodate 16 guests and 12 crew members. A model similar to the Petrel costs $ 16.8 million. She being the least expensive on his list.

Share this:

Volvo cars and the ocean race announce an extension of their partnership, rio de janeiro to host brazil’s first sailgp event, international jury of the yacht racing image award 2024.

Most Popular

Corinthian yacht club successfully defends resolute cup title, ineos britannia opens louis vuitton cup semi-final with two solid wins, america’ cup live – louis vuitton cup – day 2 | semi-finals, barcelona delivering its sunday best on day two of the louis vuitton cup semi-finals, mirabaud yacht racing image photo contest in partnership with world sailing, illycaffè and barcolana presented the poster for the 2024 edition, ineos team uk’s new race boat for the 36th america’s cup....

US intelligence officials believe a $700 million superyacht that's docked in Italy could belong to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports say

• US officials say a superyacht docked in Italy could belong to Russian President Vladimir Putin. 
• People briefed on the intelligence, however, said no set conclusions have been made, per The NYT. 
• The $700 million superyacht is currently docked on the Tuscan coast of Italy. 

US authorities believe a $700 million superyacht that's docked in Italy could belong to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The New York Times reported the news, citing several people briefed on the information.

The superyacht, called the Scheherazade, which is currently situated on the Tuscan coast of Italy first came to light after The Times reported Tuesday that Italian authorities were examining the 459-foot-long vessel. 

While some believed it could belong to a Russian oligarch, locals told The Times they nicknamed it "Putin's yacht." 

Following the invasion of Ukraine , Russia has been hit with wide-ranging sanctions targeting oligarchs and their luxury assets . Superyachts have come under particular scrutiny in recent weeks.

US intelligence officials have not concluded who owns the Scheherazade but said they found initial indications that it was associated with Putin, per The Times.

Related stories

The people with knowledge of the matter would not describe what information led them to believe the superyacht was linked to the Russian President, according to the publication. 

The ship's captain, Guy Bennett-Pearce, told reporters earlier this week that Putin was not the owner of the ship and that he had never been on the yacht. He didn't, however, rule out the possibility of the owner being Russian. 

Meanwhile, the US and the other countries are doubling down on efforts to confiscate oligarchs' high-end assets.

"We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets," President Joe Biden said  in his State of The Union address on March 1. "We are coming for your ill-begotten gains."

Some oligarchs have scrambled to try and escape the sanctions against them, taking their private jets and ships to places like Dubai and the Maldives . 

Others like Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich are resorting to selling off their assets .

The Scheherazade has been undergoing repairs since June 2020 in the small Italian town of Marina di Carrara. Its features include a helicopter landing pad, a large pool, a cinema, and a drone crashing system, according to Superyacht Fan . 

• Main content

• Real Estate

Inside Vladimir Putin’s $932 million super yacht, complete with dance floor pool and gold toilet paper holders

Vladimir Putin has spared no expense on his alleged $932 million superyacht, which comes complete with its own dance floor pool and golden toilet paper holders.

Man who won entire beachside unit block flips all but one

Secret horrors being hidden from Aussie homebuyers

‘I feel panic’: Judges worry as Block boys fail again

This yacht makes a Bond villain’s boat look like a dinghy.

Vladimir Putin, whose forces continue to attack Ukraine, spared no expense on his alleged $932 million superyacht, which comes complete with its own dance floor — and even golden toilet paper holders, according to The Sun.

MORE: Rebel Wilson lists her beloved Aussie house for $9 million

Inside the stunning home where Ash Barty will spend retirement

Ben and JLo drop $67m on Bel-Air mansion

Rumours that the boat belonged to him have been swirling since its construction; however, anti-Kremlin activists recently claimed that it is indeed Putin’s.

See all the images inside the yacht at The Sun

“It’s like a mini city,” an unnamed worker reportedly involved in its construction told the Sun of the 150m-long luxury vessel, which is moored in Marina di Carrara in Italy.

“There are countless swimming pools, a spa, a sauna, a theatre, ballrooms, a gym, two helipads.”

Known as Scheherazade — after the iconic Persian queen from literature — the opulent watercraft was reportedly first estimated at £500 million (AU$872 million), although sources told The Sun the price may be closer to £750 million (AU$1.3 billion).

It appears that Putin put his money where his boat is: Photos obtained by the Sun show the veritable maritime mansion and its six floors of swanky amenities.

They include a 5m-wide aquarium, multiple TVs — including a 4.6m beast spanning an entire wall — and a self-levelling pool table so that guests can play even when the sea turns turbulent.

There are also bathrooms outfitted with King Midas-evoking gold taps and toilet paper holders, plus a tile dance floor that converts into a pool.

Scheherazade is thought to be one of only two ships in the world with that feature, the Sun reported; the other is Putin’s second yacht, Graceful.

Along with standard bling, the Russian president decked out the superyacht with personal touches, including a judo room with framed pictures of black belts, plus various books showcasing the autocrat’s worship of wealth.

“Every surface is either marble or gold,” an unnamed boatbuilder told the Sun of the glitzy vessel, which the worker finds especially obscene in light of current events.

The ritzy ship isn’t just built for pleasure cruises. Much like the bad guy’s superyacht in the movie “Thunderball,” Scheherazade can supposedly transform from a party boat to a battleship in a flash with a state-of-the-art security system reportedly capable of shooting down drones.

If that wasn’t ostentatious enough, the super yacht-aircraft-carrier also contains two helipads and a hangar than can house a helicopter, six jet skis, five dinghies and eight Seabob underwater scooters.

Scheherazade was built over two years ago. However, the vessel’s alleged ties to Putin came to light recently after activists affiliated with jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claimed that some of the crew members worked for the Federal Security Service, which handles the Russian leader’s security.

“A dozen of Vladimir Putin’s personal guards and servants are constantly maintaining one of the world’s largest yachts docked in an Italian port,” investigative journalist and Navalny ally Maria Pevchikh wrote on Twitter .

See all the images inside the yacht at The Sun .

This story first appeared in The Post and was republished with permission.

The lucky owner turned $10 into almost $6m in the bank including the sale of the luxury penthouse — plus thousands more in rental income.

Shocking problems with homes for sale not listed in official reports are being exposed by savvy homebuyers amid pleas to authorities to shut loopholes.

The judges are impressed with most of the teams, but the boys yet again fail to finish, and Kylie’s petulant refusal to use her bonus point sees the prize money split.

Advertisement

Supported by

Vance Describes Plan to End Ukraine War That Sounds a Lot Like Putin’s

Former President Donald J. Trump would tell the Russians, Ukrainians and Europeans to “figure out what a peaceful settlement looks like,” Senator JD Vance, his running mate, says.

• Share full article

By Julian E. Barnes

Reporting from Washington

Senator JD Vance outlined a peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. But objectively, it sounds a lot like Vladimir Putin’s.

Mr. Vance’s critics immediately said he had described a Russian victory, while his supporters said he had offered the only realistic path to peace.

In an interview with “The Shawn Ryan Show” that was posted on Thursday, Mr. Vance, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, was asked about former President Donald J. Trump’s plans to end the war.

Mr. Vance said Mr. Trump would sit down with Russians, Ukrainians and Europeans and say, “You guys need to figure out what a peaceful settlement looks like.” He went on to outline what he thinks a deal would entail: The Russians would retain the land they have taken and a demilitarized zone would be established along the current battle lines, with the Ukrainian side heavily fortified to prevent another Russian invasion.

While the remainder of Ukraine would remain an independent sovereign state, Mr. Vance said, Russia would get a “guarantee of neutrality” from Ukraine.

“It doesn’t join NATO, it doesn’t join some of these sort of allied institutions,” Mr. Vance said. “I think that’s ultimately what this looks like.”

Victoria J. Nuland, a former senior State Department official who helped shape the Biden administration’s Ukraine policy, said Mr. Vance’s plan was very similar to what Mr. Putin had repeatedly offered as peace terms.

“This is essentially the proposal put forward in February, ” she said. “And why? Because it is a great gift to him.”

The Kremlin’s terms for ending the war have focused on Russia keeping the territory it has captured and forcing Ukraine to become neutral, meaning it would not join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Biden administration officials have long insisted those demands amount to capitulation, not negotiation.

Ms. Nuland questioned who would enforce a demilitarized zone, given that there was little appetite for a large international peacekeeping force. Absent that or other robust security guarantees, Mr. Putin would simply bide his time and then restart the war, she said.

“Putin will just wait, rest, refit and come for the rest,” Ms. Nuland said.

Another problem with Mr. Vance’s vision is that it ignores the will of the Ukrainians, who insist they want to keep fighting to regain their lost territory, said Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank.

“I don’t think he offered a realistic proposal for peace,” Mr. Coffey said. “He offered a plan for a Russian victory.”

Mr. Vance’s plan has worried Ukrainians. Oleksandr Merezhko, the chairman of the Ukrainian parliament’s foreign affairs committee, called the proposal “election rhetoric which will hardly stand the test of political reality.”

He said what was “conspicuously absent” from Mr. Vance’s description of Mr. Trump’s peace plan was “the issue of reliable security guarantees for Ukraine.”

But Elbridge A. Colby, who was a Pentagon official during the Trump administration, said Mr. Vance’s plan was based on a realistic assessment of the current status of the war, which began in February 2022.

Mr. Colby said Russia was continuing to make significant progress in eastern Ukraine and counterattacking in Kursk, a Russian region that the Ukrainian military has occupied since last month. Wars usually end roughly along the line of contact between two opposing armies. And he said there was no plausible basis for thinking Ukraine would gain the upper hand.

Mr. Colby said Mr. Vance’s statement ruling out NATO membership for Ukraine was the right policy choice, and that an expansion of the alliance farther east was not in America’s security interests. But he said Mr. Vance’s comments do not rule out economic and social ties with Europe, or even other security contributions.

“Senator Vance is being realistic and putting out forthrightly a realistic basis for ending the conflict,” he said, “while other people are engaged in a kind of irresponsible fantasy.”

Of course, it is not entirely clear that Mr. Vance was speaking for Mr. Trump. At times Mr. Trump has embraced Mr. Vance’s policy positions and other times pushed back on them. Mr. Coffey said that during his presidency, Mr. Trump showed that he often ignores advice from top officials, and there is no guarantee that Mr. Vance’s plan will be adopted. Still, he added, the two men appear in alignment.

“Listening to what Trump has said, and listening to what Vance has said, I would say Vance is probably in the ballpark,” Mr. Coffey said. “But what matters at the end of the day is what Trump does or does not want to do.”

Edward Wong contributed reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine.

An earlier version of this article misidentified territory that Ukraine has occupied in its incursion into Russia. It has occupied part of the Kursk region, not the city of Kursk.

How we handle corrections

Julian E. Barnes covers the U.S. intelligence agencies and international security matters for The Times. He has written about security issues for more than two decades. More about Julian E. Barnes