russian oligarch yacht turkey

Russian oligarch’s super yacht arrives in Turkish waters

Russian billionaires are heading for Turkey to flee Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A yacht linked to a Russian aluminium tycoon arrived in a bay near the southwestern Turkish resort of Gocek on Saturday, as more Russian billionaires head for Turkey to flee Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Oleg Deripaska, founder of Russian aluminium giant Rusal, has been sanctioned by the United States, United Kingdom and European Union.

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France seizes russian oligarch’s yacht amid eu sanctions, is seizing the yachts & mansions of russian oligarchs enough no., us seizes yacht docked in spain and owned by russian oligarch.

A witness saw the 73-metre (239.5 feet) yacht Clio arrive off the coast of Gocek in the Aegean coastal province of Mugla. The Cayman Islands-flagged vessel remains in the bay off Gocek.

The arrival of the Clio in Turkish waters came after two super-yachts linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who made a surprise appearance at Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul this month, docked in Turkish ports.

Turkey, a member of NATO, shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, and has good ties with both and has mediated in the continuing conflict.

Istanbul has supported Kyiv, but also opposed sanctions on Moscow, including measures against Russian billionaires.

Ankara has relied heavily on Russian energy imports and tourists and has emerged as a safe haven for Russians fleeing sanctions, and many have invested in Turkish property.

On April 4, the US government seized a mega-yacht in Spain, the first in Washington’s sanctions enforcement initiative to “seize and freeze” giant boats and other pricey assets of Russian elites.

Spain’s Civil Guard and US federal agents descended on the yacht, Tango, at the Marina Real in the port of Palma de Mallorca, the capital of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.

Documents tied to the US investigation alleged that oligarch Viktor Vekselberg bought the Tango in 2011 and used shell companies to hide his interest in the vessel, the US Department of Justice said.

In early March, customs officers in France seized a yacht belonging to Rosneft oil company boss Igor Sechin as it tried to leave the Mediterranean port of La Ciotat in a breach of EU sanctions on Russian oligarchs.

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Russian Superyachts Find Safe Haven in Turkey, Raising Concerns in Washington

Turkey’s welcoming ports are symptoms of a much larger problem: evasion of U.S. sanctions against Russia.

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By Elif Ince ,  Michael Forsythe and Carlotta Gall

PORT AZURE, Turkey — On a hot August evening at a marina on Turkey’s southern coast, the crew of the Flying Fox was hard at work, keeping the 446-foot superyacht immaculate for future guests willing to pay $3 million a week. One crew member leaned over the railing at the stern, wiping the highly polished surface next to the ship’s nameplate. Another was busy with a squeegee, cleaning glass.

The Flying Fox, the world’s biggest yacht available for charter, played host last year to Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who skipped the Met Gala in New York to cruise the Mediterranean and enjoy the vessel’s over-the-top amenities: a 4,300-square-foot wellness center with a Turkish bath and a fully equipped beauty spa, among many others.

Then Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, the Flying Fox has been caught up in the dragnet of international sanctions designed to hobble the lifestyles of the oligarchs who help sustain President Vladimir V. Putin’s rule.

Yet, while some superyachts owned by or linked to Russian oligarchs facing sanctions have been seized in ports around the world, the Flying Fox and others caught up in the broader Russia penalties have found safe haven in Turkey, the only NATO member not to impose sanctions on Russia.

The flotilla of Russian superyachts in Turkish waters is raising tensions with the United States, which sees Turkey’s welcoming of the vessels as a symptom of the much larger problem: Russia’s access to Turkey’s financial system, potentially undermining Western sanctions.

Turkey’s strongman leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has criticized Western sanctions against Russia, said in March that Turkey could not impose sanctions because of its energy needs and industry deals. “There is nothing to be done there,” he said.

In all, at least 32 yachts tied to oligarchs and sanctioned entities have sheltered in the country’s waters in recent months, able to move about or moor in its picturesque coves and bays without fear of seizure, according to a New York Times analysis. Ownership records of superyachts for the ultrawealthy are notorious for being hidden behind layers of shell companies. The Times analysis was constructed with news accounts linking Russian oligarchs to particular yachts that were then matched with vessel positions available on commercial sites such as MarineTraffic . In many instances, the yachts were spotted in Turkish waters by a Times reporter.

On Aug. 19, the Treasury Department issued a statement saying that the deputy treasury secretary, Wally Adeyemo, had told a Turkish official that the United States was concerned about Russians using Turkey to evade sanctions.

Three days later, Mr. Adeyemo sent a letter to Turkish business groups warning of penalties if they worked with Russian individuals or entities facing sanctions. Turkish banks, he added, risked losing vital correspondent relationships with global banks — and even access to the U.S. dollar — if they did business with sanctioned Russian banks.

In September, several Turkish banks stopped accepting the Mir payment system — the Russian equivalent of Visa or MasterCard. Their actions came after the United States warned that financial institutions expanding the use of Mir or entering into new agreements risked running afoul of American sanctions against Russia.

Nevertheless, Turkish marinas continue to service sanctioned Russians and their superyachts.

The warm turquoise waters, secluded beaches and trendy establishments of Turkey’s Mediterranean coast have long made it a popular and convenient destination for Russian yacht owners and charterers during the summer. Local restaurant menus are printed in three languages: Turkish, English and Russian.

In June, the Flying Fox was singled out by the United States as “ blocked property ” and its management company, Imperial Yachts, was also sanctioned. Nevertheless, the Flying Fox has been moored since at least May at Port Azure, a marina in the posh resort town of Göcek. Other superyachts there owned by or linked to sanctioned Russians have been cruising from one postcard-worthy cove to another in the area.

The town’s polluted waters are unsuitable for swimming, an attractive feature for superyacht owners because it keeps away crowds and unwanted publicity. And the vessels can easily steam to pristine waters nearby. If the pampered guests have any unfulfilled needs, small boats roam around the harbor, selling groceries, ice cream, Turkish crepes and even massages.

Port Azure, touted as the first “mega-yacht-only marina” in Turkey, was opened last year by STFA, one of Turkey’s biggest conglomerates. The marina , which prides itself on its website as being a “haven” that makes “problems big and small go away,” has hosted at least eight yachts linked to Russian oligarchs or sanctioned companies this past summer, the Times analysis found.

On June 1, a Turkish yacht broker posted on Instagram a video taken at Port Azure showing a lineup of five yachts collectively worth almost $1 billion, including the Flying Fox; the Lana, recently listed at $1.8 million a week for charter by Imperial; and the Galactica Super Nova, linked to Vagit Alekperov, a sanctioned Putin ally, according to news media reports.

As of Oct. 20 there were at least 13 yachts in Turkey linked to sanctions, the Times analysis found. Of those, four were owned by or linked to sanctioned individuals and nine have recently been offered for charter by Imperial, the sanctioned Monaco-based company.

A spokeswoman for Imperial Yachts said that after the firm was sanctioned in June, its clients terminated their contracts with the company and that it “no longer manages or charters” any of the yachts in Turkish waters.

But until late August, Imperial advertised yachts for charter and for sale on its website, including yachts in Turkish waters. After an inquiry by The Times, the listings were removed from Imperial’s website, which now displays only a notice announcing that the company had been sanctioned. The company spokeswoman said that it had “kept its other pages alive as a reflection of its former brand.”

“During the time that the other website pages were visible, Imperial did not engage in any business engagements,” Imperial said in response to emailed questions.

Roman Abramovich, the most visible Russian oligarch recently seen in Turkey, does not use Imperial Yachts to manage the construction of his opulent yachts or staff them after they are put to sea. Four yachts owned by or linked to Mr. Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by Britain and the European Union, the Times analysis shows, were in Turkey in August.

Should the United States choose, it has tools at its disposal to enforce its sanctions on the Russian oligarchs, even if their vessels are in Turkish waters and even if the Turkish government is unwilling to cooperate, said Daniel Tannebaum, a former sanctions official who served at the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

One way, he said, would be to place sanctions on companies that service the oligarchs’ yachts in Turkey — the marinas, caterers and fueling companies. In that case, not just Russian yacht owners but also the many American yacht owners now in Turkish waters would have to take their business elsewhere, while the banks that do business with these companies might close their accounts so as to avoid becoming a target.

Superyachts are a significant source of income for the marinas, as well as other businesses in the area. In one example, Turkish news media outlets reported in April that Mr. Abramovich’s biggest yacht, the 533-foot-long Eclipse, ran up a fuel bill of $1.66 million in the port town of Marmaris. Its tanks took 22 hours to fill.

One of the four superyachts linked to Mr. Abramovich, the 460-foot Solaris, is moored in the Yalıkavak Marina in Bodrum, a trendy resort town in Turkey’s south. While lying idle, it still has 20 crew members who make trips every day to provision it, supply it with water and electricity and dispose of its waste, according to a port employee with direct knowledge of the matter, who spoke anonymously because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.

Solaris also receives a truckload of food every week through a catering company, he said, adding: “Twenty cases of asparagus — what would you do with so much asparagus?”

Yalıkavak is Turkey’s most luxurious marina, with stores like Prada, Louis Vuitton and Valentino on a promenade lined with palm trees overlooking the harbor. At least three yachts recently offered for charter by Imperial, the sanctioned management company, and three other yachts owned by or linked to oligarchs moored at Yalıkavak Marina this summer, the Times analysis shows.

In an emailed statement, the marina said that even though Turkey has not adopted sanctions, because it recognizes “international concerns,” the Solaris has been kept outside the marina’s boundaries. As for the vessels associated with Imperial Yachts, the marina said that it did not know, as the summer is “quite a busy time” and that it didn’t have a system in place to check whether an individual yacht might fall under international sanctions.

In August, the Eclipse, one of the yachts linked to Mr. Abramovich, was anchored in the middle of the bay off Göcek, a three-and-a-half-hour drive down the coast from Yalıkavak.

On an early morning in August, Ömer Kırpat, 56, was fishing on the shore in Göcek, sitting under a willow tree overlooking the yachts.

“The bells aren’t jingling,” he said, pointing to the bells attached to his rods to alert him when the fish bite. He showed his bucket with one lone fish inside, explaining that the fish avoid the shore because of pollution and noise from the boats.

Port Azure, the Göcek marina hosting the Flying Fox, was built over the port of a state-owned paper factory where Mr. Kırpat worked for 13 years as a security guard until it was privatized in 2001. He used to go there to swim, fish and have picnics every weekend with other factory workers and their families. “It was sparkly clean,” he said. “We caught the biggest fish there.”

He tried to go into Port Azure last year but was chased away. “We’re banned,” he said. “Soon they won’t even allow us to look inside. It’s heartbreaking.”

Michael Forsythe is a reporter on the investigations team. He was previously a correspondent in Hong Kong, covering the intersection of money and politics in China. He has also worked at Bloomberg News and is a United States Navy veteran. More about Michael Forsythe

Carlotta Gall is a senior correspondent currently covering the war in Ukraine. She previously was Istanbul bureau chief, covered the aftershocks of the Arab Spring from Tunisia, and reported from the Balkans during the war in Kosovo and Serbia, and from Afghanistan and Pakistan after 2001. She was on a team that won a 2009 Pulitzer Prize for reporting from Afghanistan and Pakistan. More about Carlotta Gall

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President Vladimir Putin of Russia will visit North Korea  for a meeting with its leader, Kim Jong-un, as the two countries deepen military ties to support Putin’s war in Ukraine with North Korean weapons .

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Images From the Border: Photographs from two trips along Ukraine’s northeastern border regions, in the months before Russia renewed an offensive there, reveal loss and transformation .

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Russian oligarch stashes second yacht in Turkey, apparently to beat Ukraine-linked sanctions

March 22, 2022 / 7:55 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Ankara, Turkey — A second superyacht belonging to Chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has docked in a resort in southwestern Turkey - a country that's not applying sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine , Turkish media reports said Tuesday.

The private DHA news agency said the Bermuda-registered Eclipse docked at a port in the resort of Marmaris amid international efforts to freeze assets belonging to top Russian businessmen linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A day earlier, Abramovich's Bermuda-flagged luxury yacht My Solaris arrived in the nearby resort of Bodrum, triggering a protest by a group of Ukrainians who boarded a small motor boat and tried to prevent the yacht from docking.

Last week, the European Union updated a list of individuals facing asset freezes and travel bans over their ties to the Kremlin and began imposing sanctions on Abramovich. The 55-year-old had already been punished in Britain.

NATO-member Turkey has close ties to both Russia and Ukraine. It has criticized Moscow's invasion of Ukraine but has also positioned itself as a neutral party trying to mediate between the two.

Abramovich announced earlier this month that he's selling the Chelsea club. Abramovich said the sale won't "be fast-tracked but will follow due process" and that the net proceeds will go to victims in Ukraine.

"This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club," he said. 

Forbes has valued Abramovich's net worth  at $12.4 billion  while Chelsea was worth an  estimated $3.2 billion  in 2021. The 55-year-old, who was once Russia's richest man, said he will set up a foundation to which net proceeds from the sale will be donated.

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How Russian oligarchs are sailing their yachts from Europe to Turkey to avoid sanctions

When a number of uber-wealthy Russian businessmen and politicians were slapped with sanctions by the European Union and the United States after the invasion of Ukraine, many of them did what they could to spirit away the assets. In some cases, those assets included yachts, some the size of whales. In recent weeks, online investigators have been using public source data to track their locations. They say that a number of yachts managed to leave European waters, bound for Turkey or Russia. 

Issued on: 05/05/2022 - 19:15 Modified: 09/05/2022 - 14:23

Yalikavak Bay, in Turkey, April 24: Dutch tourists posed and took a selfie in front of a superyacht called My Solaris . The boat, which, at 140 metres long dwarfs its environs, belongs to Roman Abramovich, a Russian oligarch and former owner of the Chelsea football club who has been under European sanctions since March 15. 

Having lunch today in #Yalikavak with Abramovitsj yacht #Solaris in the background. Love ❤️ Turkey 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/pWBiBelMnk — 🇺🇦🅤🅟🅢🅘🅓🅔 🅓🅞🅦🅝🇳🇱 (@renetiemo) April 24, 2022

When yachts move around, they use AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponders to signal their GPS location, as well as to help to avoid collisions.

Websites like MarineTraffic or VesselFinder publish the AIS details of ships moving around the world. If you look at one of these sites, you can see that My Solaris left Barcelona on March 8 . The yacht then popped up in Yalikavak Bay on April 23 , where it was still located on May 5, according to MarineTraffic.

'I thought that keeping an eye on the oligarchs and their movements might bring some useful information'

Twitter user @PutinIsAVirus uses online tools to track the locations of dozens of yachts belonging to Russian oligarchs. A software developer by trade, he documents the movements of these yachts on an interactive map . The user, who wanted to remain anonymous for professional reasons, explained his process to the FRANCE 24 Observers team: 

In 2016, I started to become active in open source intelligence investigations. It started as a hobby, and still is. When the Ukraine crisis started, I tried to increase the scale of my work to attempt to help and do something because it was hard to sit still and do nothing. I thought that keeping an eye on the oligarchs and their movements, especially sanctioned ones, might bring some useful information. First, it took a while for them to react. This was good, because it allowed many of them to be seized in European ports. It's not easy to quickly find a crew for a boat which was not scheduled to leave. These oligarchs also had their European bank accounts frozen, and their Russian accounts were not usable. So for a boat that takes 200,000 dollars in gasoline, it might be a bit of a problem to get access to this amount of money if you don't have access to your bank account and your credit card doesn't work.  We can see some hubs where sanctioned vessels were able to run to: this is essentially the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

Fleeing sanctions, Putin's inner circle seeks safe ports for their superyachts: Roman Abramovich's 🇧🇲yachts are portside, Eclipse in Marmaris & Solaris in Bodrum. Dmitry Medvedev's 🇰🇾yacht Universe was in Marmaris. Maxim Shubarev's 🇨🇰yacht Polaris is in Göcek's Skopea Marina. pic.twitter.com/DNlEGAZDvi — Yörük Işık (@YorukIsik) March 23, 2022

Several yachts owned by oligarchs haven’t been emitting an AIS signal for a few weeks, making it impossible to find their location on MarineTraffic or VesselFinder. In theory, you have to turn on your transponder when you navigate but it’s pretty common for owners to ignore this rule to hide their whereabouts . However, very often they can be found from satellite images and amateur images. 

Some yachts go through Turkey to get to Russia 

From his base in Turkey, Yörük Işık watches out for the vessels crossing the Bosphorus Strait, which links the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. An analyst who specialises in tracking ships and the founder of the Bosphorus Observer, he managed to take photos of several yachts thought to be owned by Russian oligarchs over the past few weeks. 

I am in a great ship-spotting location, so I just catch them. So far, I saw approximately ten of them.  Most of them come to Turkey because Turkey has very advanced maritime services, because these yachts have to constantly be maintained. I think they are all running to Sochi. After some time in Turkey, so far the pattern is that they are crossing the Bosphorus and going to Sochi [Editor's note: On the Russian coast of the Black Sea]. There are still several of them in Turkey, in ports where they can get maritime services, a few of them are also in the coastal towns.

Yörük Işık took this picture of a yacht called Universe in Ataköy Port in Istanbul on March 28, 2022. The vessel, which is thought to belong to former Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, left Imperia Port in Italy  on March 2. On April 22, it was photographed by an amateur ship watcher in Sochi, Russia .

Cayman Islands 🇰🇾 flag 74m mega yacht Universe, likely owned by Dmitry Medvedev @MedvedevRussia , former President & former PM and current Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, is in Istanbul's Ataköy Marina. pic.twitter.com/QAChVghCrP — Yörük Işık (@YorukIsik) March 28, 2022

While European and Turkish ports are equipped with the infrastructure and services needed for yachts, that is less common in Russian ports , says the person who runs the account @PutinIsAVirus :

Russia and the Black Sea are not equipped for so many and such big vessels. They have some nice touristic harbours in the Black Sea, but they might host only one or two of these yachts. Abramovich's vessels are over 150 metres long – few ports are equipped for something like that. These vessels were never intended to go back to Russia – they were meant to stay in the Mediterranean, in the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean.

Owners hidden behind shell companies 

Alex Finley, a former CIA officer and novelist , keeps her eye on yachts belonging to Russian oligarchs from her home in Barcelona. She says that one of the hardest parts is figuring out, for certain, who owns each yacht:

You can say that we suspect this person is the ultimate beneficial owner, but now the authorities have to prove it. That means pulling back all the different shell companies to figure out really in the end who the owner is. And that's very difficult because the ownership structure is set up to provide precisely that kind of privacy. 

On May 5, a yacht belonging to a Russian oligarch under sanctions was seized  in Fiji at the request of the United States. The boat in question was the Amadea, which is estimated to be worth 300 million dollars and is thought to belong to oligarch Suleiman Kerimov.

“This yacht seizure should tell every corrupt Russian oligarch that they cannot hide, not even in the remotest part of the world. We will use every means of enforcing the sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine,” wrote US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in a statement . 

European sanctions have, in effect, frozen the assets of around a hundred people who are thought to support the Russian government or benefit from it in some way. Several yachts have already been seized in France, Spain and Italy. Some countries, however, are now saddled with the cost of maintaining these yachts, which can reach 150 to 200,000 euros per month.

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Yacht linked to Russian oligarch Abramovich docks in Turkey's Bodrum

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Reporting by Yesim Dikmen and Dominic Evans; Additional reporting by Catarina Demony; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Jonathan Spicer, Mark Heinrich and Alexander Smith

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A Russian oligarch's $400 million superyacht is sailing towards Turkey, following allegations of trafficking and money laundering, reports say

A $400 million yacht tied to a Russian oligarch is sailing towards Turkey, per ship-tracking data.

The US held it in the Dominican Republic over allegations of money laundering and arms trafficking, per local reports.

The yacht departed on April 22 without a destination, local media reported.

A luxury yacht linked to a Russian oligarch is heading in the direction of Turkey after it was reportedly investigated by the US over accusations of arms trafficking and money laundering.

The Flying Fox, a 446-foot vessel worth $400 million, is owned by Dmitry Kamenshchik, according to media reports . Kamenshchik, chairman of Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, has a net worth of $2.1 billion, per Forbes .

The superyacht was first anchored on March 21 in Port Don Diego in the Dominican Republic for one month before it set sail on April 22 with no destination, local newspapers Dominican Today and Diario Libre reported.

At time of writing, Flying Fox was sailing east off the coast of Algeria, its nose pointed towards Turkey, according to ship-tracking data by Marine Traffic . The destination port was "not recognized," on Marine Traffic's site.

Turkey's government hasn't sanctioned Russia over its war in Ukraine, meaning that Russian oligarchs' assets are safe from seizure in the country. Over the past few months, Turkey has become a popular destination for Russian oligarchs' yachts to moor and avoid sanctions, including Roman Abramovich and Oleg Deripaska 's vessels.

When the Flying Fox was docked in Port Don Diego in March, authorities from the US and the Dominican Republic boarded the yacht to carry out a search for alleged trafficking and money laundering, Diario Libre and Dominican Today reported. The authorities then seized the yacht, per both reports.

Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic, said if there were no findings from the investigation of the Flying Fox, the authorities would release the yacht, Diario Libre reported.

The Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed to Dominican Today that the Flying Fox had left the port in April but workers in the port told the online newspaper and Diario Libre that they were unaware of where the yacht was headed to.

The US Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the ministry for the president of the Republic didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

The Flying Fox was rumored to belong to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos , but a representative of the retail giant told Insider in August 2019 that it wasn't his vessel. The superyacht features a large swimming pool, a cinema, a hospital, and two helipads, per SuperYacht Fan.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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Solaris, a superyacht linked to sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, is pictured in Yalikavak, southwest Turkey April 16, 2022. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik

Turkey Welcomes Russian Oligarch Yachts

Share this article, related news, us seeking to auction russian oligarch’s yacht costing $7 million a year to maintain, ex-google ceo scraps $67.6 million purchase of abandoned superyacht, abandoned russian superyacht to be auctioned after sanctions lifted, dubai boat show features electric sailboat, $318 million superyacht, russian oligarch yacht agents indicted by us grand jury.

by Yoruk Isik (Reuters) A yacht linked to Russian aluminum tycoon Oleg Deripaska arrived in a bay near the southwestern Turkish resort of Gocek on Saturday, as more Russian billionaires head for Turkey to flee Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Deripaska, founder of Russian aluminum giant Rusal RUAL.MM, has been sanctioned by the United States, European Union and Britain. He has previously called for peace.

A Reuters witness saw the 73-meter (239.5 foot) yacht Clio arrive off the coast of Gocek in the Aegean coastal province of Mugla on Saturday. The Cayman Islands-flagged vessel remains in a bay off Gocek.

The arrival of Clio in Turkish waters comes after two superyachts linked to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who made a surprise appearance at Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul this month, docked in Turkish ports.

Oleg Deripaska's Yacht #CLIO changed location. Destination: Gocek, Turkey Status: Underway using Engine Current speed: 10.4kn https://t.co/UCPebIg4qt #StandWithUkraine #Oligarchs #yacht #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/DnsYFKLGrY — Oligarch Yachts & Jets (@OligarchTracker) April 14, 2022

World governments are seeking to isolate President Vladimir Putin and his allies over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a “special military operation.”

NATO member Turkey shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea, has good ties with both and mediates in the conflict. It has supported Kyiv, but also opposed sanctions on Moscow, including measures against Russian billionaires.

Ankara relies heavily on Russian energy imports and tourists and has emerged as a safe haven for Russians fleeing sanctions, and many have invested in Turkish property.

Also read: DOJ’s KleptoCapture Needs Mariners To Upkeep Oligarch Superyachts

On Friday, a Ukrainian diplomat said Ukraine is working with Turkey for more support and understands – though it is not happy with – the reality of Ankara’s parallel ties to Moscow.

Also Read: All You Need To Know About Russian Yacht Arrests

(Reporting by Yoruk Isik; Writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu; editing by David Evans)

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A sanctioned Russian oligarch's $600 million superyacht set sail for a 'scenic cruise' in the Mediterranean after docking in Turkey for 2 weeks

• Roman Abramovich's $600 million yacht left a Turkish port for a "scenic cruise," tracking data shows.
• The yacht, Solaris, left Bodrum, southwest Turkey, on Monday after docking there for two weeks.
• Solaris has avoided European countries that sanctioned Abramovich after Russia invaded Ukraine.

A $600 million superyacht owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich set sail on a "scenic cruise" in the Mediterranean on Monday, tracking data shows.

The 460-foot Solaris departed the port of Bodrum in southwest Turkey on Monday morning, having been docked there for two weeks, according to the ship-tracking service Marine Traffic .

Solaris' destination was last reported by Marine Traffic as "scenic cruise." As of 5:21 a.m. ET on Monday, Solaris was heading north-east after rounding a headland on the Turkish coast.

Related stories

Abramovich, the billionaire owner of Chelsea Football Club, was among the oligarchs sanctioned by the European Union on March 15, meaning his assets were frozen and he was banned from doing business in the bloc. The sanctions were imposed as part of Western efforts to punish Russia and President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.

Having been docked in Spain in early March, the Solaris has since been avoiding European countries that sanctioned Abramovich, of which Spain is one.

In late 2021, the Solaris was under repair in a shipyard in Barcelona . It set sail from there on March 8, 2022, some 12 days after Russia invaded Ukraine. The Solaris arrived in Tivat, Montenegro, on March 12 — two days after Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK and three days before the EU sanctions were imposed on March 15.

Solaris left Tivat a day after it arrived and headed towards Turkey. The yacht arrived in Bodrum on March 21, per Marine Traffic data cited in an earlier report by Insider.

The Solaris can accommodate up to 96 guests and crew members and has a price tag of $600 million, according to SuperYacht Fan .

Governments in Europe have seized some vessels linked to rich Russians, including the UK detaining a $50 million yacht and Gibraltar's government impounding a $75 million vessel .

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The World’s Most Expensive Yachts—Including Some That Cost Billions

By Brett Berk

Though superyachts are already among the most costly consumer items available, the prices of the most expensive yachts in the world are still astounding. In recent decades, those with money to burn have settled on these floating palaces as an ideal locus for demonstrating their prosperity, and, as such, the global luxury yacht industry is undergoing a golden age. The world’s überwealthy think of their motor yachts as toys, and they’re constantly trying to outdo each other in scale, design, amenities, materials, and sheer profligacy.

Knowing this, what features does it take to own one of the most expensive yachts in existence? And how much do these opulent vessels actually cost? To that end, AD has compiled a list of the five priciest superyachts currently out on the water. As with many things connected to the very wealthy, details are shrouded in secrecy—often intentionally—to shield the assets from taxation or seizure, or to protect privacy.

Below, dive into the five reportedly most expensive yachts in the world.

5. Dubai ($400 million)

This 531-foot yacht is reportedly owned by United Arab Emirates Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. Though it was originally planned for another Middle Eastern potentate, Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei, he suddenly voided the contract in 2001. With exteriors designed by Andrew Winch and interiors by Platinum Yachts, this German-built Blohm + Voss vessel features several Jacuzzis, a pool inlaid with handmade mosaic tiles that is reportedly large enough to hold 115 people, a circular staircase, a discotheque with an appropriately sized dance floor, squash courts, a movie theater, a dining room for 90 guests (the other 25 presumably have to eat in the pool?), a helipad, and a submarine.

4. Topaz ($527 million)

Resembling a stealth bomber, this 483-foot ship is reportedly owned by Russian fertilizer and coal oligarch Andrey Melnichenko. With exteriors by Tim Heywood Design Ltd. and interior designs by Terence Disdale Design, this German-built Lürssen Yacht features a 2,500-square-foot primary bedroom, six guest suites (with moveable walls so they can be transformed into four grand staterooms), glassware and tableware fashioned from French crystal, a helicopter hangar, a 30-foot speedboat tender, and three swimming pools, including one with a glass-bottom dangling menacingly above a disco.

3. Azzam ($600 million)

This 590-foot ship is currently thought to be the largest private yacht in the world and one of the fastest, with a top speed of 35 miles per hour. To achieve this immense scale and speed, it required a pair of gas turbines and two stratospherically potent diesel engines, rendering it very difficult to build. It is reportedly owned by a member of the royal family of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. With exteriors by Nauta Yacht and interiors by French decorator Cristophe Leoni, this yacht was also built by Lürssen in Germany. The vessel is set apart by its early 19th-century Empire-style veneered furniture, as well as its state-of-the-art security systems, including a fully bulletproof primary suite and a high-tech missile deterrence capabilities.

2. Eclipse ($1.5 billion)

In addition to being the second-costliest, this 533-footer is thought to be the world’s second-largest private yacht. Owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich , the ship was claimed to be located in Turkey and may be impounded as part of the United Kingdom’s sanctions against Russia. Designed by Terry Disdale and built by Blohm + Voss, it features two-dozen guest cabins, two swimming pools, two helipads, and multiple hot tubs. For privacy and security reasons, it hosts a missile detection system, bulletproof windows in the primary bedroom and on the bridge, an anti-paparazzi shield, and, when all of that fails, a mini-submarine that can take a few VIPs 164 feet under the ocean’s surface.

1. History Supreme ($4.8 billion)

History Supreme has never actually been seen in a major port, and rumors suggest that the yacht may not be real and instead just a publicity stunt. Reportedly owned by Malaysia’s richest man, Robert Kuok, and designed by Stuart Hughes in the UK, the yacht is only a paltry 100 feet long. Its worth is said to be derived from its lavish finishes, including a statue constructed from genuine Tyrannosaurus rex bones, a liquor bottle embedded with an 18.5-carat diamond, and a primary bedroom with one wall made from meteorite and another from a 24-karat gold Aquavista Panoramic Wall Aquarium. If you see it somewhere, let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Jeff Bezos’s yacht?

This is why people like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos work to keep their yachts out of the public eye. Though we are not including Jeff Bezos’s yacht, Koru (Maori for “coil”), in this list because it is a sailing yacht and thus excluded from the realm of these motor yachts, it created controversy in the Netherlands when its presence became known. Jeff Bezos’s abided the $500 million price tag of Oceanco, the Dutch custom yacht builder, to create the 417-foot megayacht. But when the company, at Bezos’s behest, requested that a local bridge be dismantled to make way for its gigantic mast on its journey from the shipyard, public sentiment turned against the cento-billionaire, and Oceano shelved its request. Maybe a port like Monaco would be more accommodating?

Also not on this list is the world’s largest private yacht, reportedly owned by Alisher Usmanov. Though size and cost typically scale in the world of superyachts, this is not always the case (see #1 in this list.) Also, Somnio, the 728-feet dream-monikered yacht liner that tops our list of the world’s largest private yachts , isn’t quite done being constructed. And it is not, like most of the largest superyachts, privately owned by one individual or family—it’s a kind of floating condo, with 39 eight-figure homes available to potential owners solely by invitation.

By Maya Ibbitson

By Joyce Chen

By Kristi Kellogg

By Perri Ormont Blumberg

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Treasury sanctions russians bankrolling putin and russia-backed influence actors.

United States and its Partners and Allies Continue Campaign Against Putin’s Affiliates in Response to the Premeditated and Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine

Treasury to Share Financial Intelligence About Sanctioned Oligarchs with Department of Justice as Part of Effort to Freeze and Seize Assets

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of State intensified pressure on Russia by sanctioning numerous Russian elites and their family members, identifying certain property of these persons as blocked, and sanctioning Russian intelligence-directed disinformation outlets. The elites sanctioned continue to provide direct and indirect support to the Government of the Russian Federation (GoR) through their business empires, wealth, and other resources. The aid of these individuals, their family members, and other key elites allows President Vladimir Putin to continue to wage the ongoing, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Blocked as part of today’s action are three Russian elites, two of their spouses, three of their adult children, six of their companies, one of Russia’s largest privately-owned aircraft, and one of the world’s largest superyachts.

As with previous announcements, these actions were taken in close coordination with the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, the ROK, and Australia, demonstrating global support for Ukraine and the commitment to hold Russia’s authoritarian leadership responsible for their actions. As a part of the transatlantic effort to further deny Russian elites the benefits of their kleptocracy and ensure the effective implementation of our financial sanctions, Treasury will share financial intelligence and other evidence where appropriate with the Department of Justice to support criminal prosecutions and seizure of assets. Furthermore, Treasury and the Department of Justice will continue to work with international partners and allies to target assets in various jurisdictions, as committed to in the joint statement by leaders on February 26, 2022.

“Treasury is committed to holding Russian elites to account for their support of President Putin’s war of choice,” said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. “Today, across the U.S. government and in coordination with partners and allies, we are demonstrating our commitment to impose massive costs on Putin’s closest confidants and their family members and freeze their assets in response to the brutal attack on Ukraine. We also continue to target Russia’s destabilizing disinformation efforts.”

In addition to sanctioning elites, OFAC designated 26 Russia- and Ukraine-based individuals and seven Russian entities in connection with the GoR’s efforts to promulgate disinformation and influence perceptions. This action follows OFAC’s imposition of sanctions on January 20, 2022, which identified Russian agents that took part in activities that attempt to destabilize the Ukrainian government, and builds on sanctions imposed on April 15, 2021, for Russian-backed efforts to attempt to influence U.S. elections. Russian intelligence services, including the Federal Security Service (FSB), Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), employ disinformation outlets and intelligence service affiliates to spread false narratives that advance Russian strategic objectives to destabilize Ukraine and falsely justify the Kremlin’s activities. The individuals and entities designated today have played various roles in Russia’s global influence campaign, including in Ukraine.

The Department of State is also imposing substantial costs on Russia’s defense enterprises by sanctioning 22 defense-related firms. These far-reaching sanctions target a wide range of Russian defense enterprises, including entities that develop and produce fighter aircraft, infantry fighting vehicles, electronic warfare systems, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles for Russia’s military. These sanctions strike at the core of Putin’s war machine.  

PUTIN AFFILIATE ALISHER USMANOV AND ONE OF WORLD’S LARGEST SUPERYACHTS

Alisher Burhanovich Usmanov (Usmanov) is one of Russia’s wealthiest billionaires with vast holdings across multiple sectors of the Russian Federation economy as well as internationally. Through holding company USM, of which Usmanov owns approximately 49 percent, and other vehicles, Usmanov holds significant interests in the metals and mining, telecommunications, and information technology sectors. Usmanov is known to be close to Putin as well as Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia and former President and Prime Minister of Russia. Usmanov and Putin allegedly have financial ties, while Medvedev has reportedly benefited from the personal use of luxurious residences controlled by Usmanov.

Usmanov’s Kremlin ties enrich him and enable his luxurious lifestyle. Evidencing his wealth, Usmanov owns one of the world’s largest superyachts, known as Dilbar , and a business jet with tail number M-IABU . Dilbar, named after Usmanov’s mother, is Cayman Islands flagged with IMO number of 9661792, and a gross registered tonnage of 15917. This superyacht’s estimated worth is believed to be between $600 and $735 million. Dilbar has two helipads and one of the world’s largest indoor pools ever installed on a yacht. The estimated cost to run Dilbar is $60 million per year. Usmanov’s aircraft, M-IABU, is an Airbus A340-300 with serial number 955. The jet is registered in the Isle of Man and is believed to have cost between $350 and $500 million. The aircraft’s moniker, Bourkhan, is Usmanov’s father’s name. Additionally, the plane’s registration spells out “I’m Alisher Burhanovich Usmanov.” M-IABU is one of the largest privately owned planes in Russia and was previously leased out for use by Uzbekistan's president.

Usmanov is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 and the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 587 (RuHSR), for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. In addition, OFAC is identifying Usmanov’s superyacht and aircraft as blocked property in which Usmanov has an interest. This means that any transactions related to the yacht or aircraft, including things such as maintenance, the hiring of operating personnel, or payment of docking or landing fees, conducted with U.S. persons or in U.S. dollars, are prohibited. The European Union (EU) has also designated Usmanov.

Dilbar, superyacht, property of Usmanov

M-IABU, jet, property of Usmanov

Concurrent with this designation, OFAC issued General License (GL) 15, authorizing all transactions and unblocking all property of any entity owned 50 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by Usmanov, that does not appear on OFAC’s SDN List.

PUTIN AFFILIATE NIKOLAY TOKAREV

Nikolay Petrovich Tokarev (Tokarev) is a long-time Putin associate who served with Putin in the Soviet Union’s Committee for State Security (KGB) as agents in Dresden, East Germany, in the 1980s. Tokarev is also the president of one of Russia’s most important companies, Transneft, a state-owned pipeline company that is responsible for transporting 90 percent of oil extracted in Russia. As the president of Transneft, Tokarev has enriched himself and his family, amassing a business and real estate empire extending throughout Russia and into Europe. Before his time as Transneft’s president, Tokarev worked in the Administrative Department of the President of the Russian Federation and was awarded numerous titles, orders, and honorary certificates for his service.

Tokarev’s family members, including his wife Galina Alekseyevna Tokareva (Galina) and daughter Maiya Nikolaevna Tokareva (Maiya), have benefited from his proximity to Putin and the GoR. Maiya Tokareva’s real estate empire has been valued at more than $50 million in Moscow, Russia alone and includes at least three companies: Moscow-based Limited Liability Company Ostozhenka 19 (Ostozhenka 19) and Zagreb, Croatia-based Katina Drustvo s Ogranicenom Odgovornoscu za Nekretnine I Ugostiteljstvo (Katina) and T.G.A. D.O.O. za Trgovinu I Usluge (TGA). Katina owns prime oceanfront real estate on a Croatian island that includes a villa built by the 19th century Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I.

Tokarev is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 and the RuHSR for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of the GoR. Galina and Maiya are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 and the RuHSR for being the spouse or adult child of Tokarev, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024. Ostozhenka 19, Katina, and TGA are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 and the RuHSR for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Maiya, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024. The EU and Canada have also sanctioned Tokarev, and Canada additionally designated Galina and Maiya.

Transneft is subject to debt and equity prohibitions pursuant to Directive 2 under E.O. 13662 and Directive 3 under E.O. 14024.

ESCALATING SANCTIONS AGAINST THE NETWORK OF YEVGENY PRIGOZHIN

Yevgeniy Prigozhin (Prigozhin), who was previously designated pursuant to multiple sanctions authorities for facilitating attempts to interfere in U.S. elections and supporting the GoR, is the Russian financier of the Internet Research Agency (IRA), which he utilizes to operate global influence operations. Prigozhin directs the generation of content to denigrate the U.S. electoral process and funds Russian interference efforts while also attempting to evade sanctions by standing up front and shell companies both in and outside of Russia. Prigozhin's influence apparatus is reportedly supporting Russian Government designed influence operations within Ukraine. These influence efforts are focused on sowing discord on social issues in Ukraine.In early 2021, Prigozhin continued to coordinate messages in an attempt to spread disinformation about the United States government. His vast global network spreads false narratives online. Prigozhin’s influence efforts extend beyond the United States. OFAC has previously targeted these activities around the world, particularly through the Kremlin-backed Wagner group, on the continent of Africa. In 2021, Prigozhin assisted Russia’s efforts to interfere in elections and subvert public opinion in Asia. Russia’s efforts to promote false narratives on various topics, including Russia-Ukraine relations, relies on platforms associated with Prigozhin. Prigozhin also made efforts to spread disinformation on European politicians and officials to specifically achieve Russia’s goals in relation to Ukraine.

Prigozhin’s family facilitates the activities of his enterprise, which benefits from his favored status within Russia’s elite. Lyubov Prigozhina (Lyubov) is Prigozhin’s wife, and Polina Prigozhina (Polina) and Pavel Prigozhin (Pavel) are Prigozhin’s daughter and son, respectively. Lyubov, Polina, and Pavel play various roles in Prigozhin’s business enterprise. 

Today, OFAC is designating Prigozhin again pursuant to E.O. 14024 and the RuHSR for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in interference in a United States or other foreign government election for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, the GoR. Lyubov, Polina, and Pavel are each being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 and the RuHSR for being the spouse or adult child of Prigozhin, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024. Pavel also controls three companies, Lakhta Park, OOO , Lakhta Park Premium, OOO and Lakhta Plaza, OOO . These three companies are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Pavel, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024. The EU, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia have also designated Prigozhin.The EU and Canada have also designated Lyubov, and Canada has designated Polina and Pavel.

The actions above were taken pursuant to E.O. 14024 and the RuHSR, which authorizes sanctions against Russia for its harmful foreign activities, including violating well-established principles of international law such as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states.

Additionally, today the Department of State designated several additional Russian elites as well as portions of their familial and business networks and multiple entities related to the Russian military.

FURTHER ACTION AGAINST RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE-DIRECTED DISINFORMATION OUTLETS

On April 15, 2021, OFAC designated Strategic Culture Foundation, InfoRos, NewsFront, and SouthFront for propagating Russian intelligence services-directed content. Since designation, these online media sites have attempted to evade sanctions and continue advancing false narratives against a variety of topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Russia’s disinformation and propaganda machine is a network of official and unofficial communication channels and platforms that Russia uses to create and amplify false narratives. Russia invests massively in these propaganda outlets to support their disinformation efforts, and it leverages outlets that pose as news sites to spread these false and misleading narratives. These media outlets repeatedly republish content from each other in an attempt to legitimize and popularize the disinformation narratives they propagate. The propaganda they collectively generate then is available to be cited by slightly larger, slightly more credible outlets, which filters their Russian intelligence-directed propaganda to a larger readership. This approach also allows Russia to be opportunistic, such as with COVID-19, where it has used the global pandemic as a hook to push longstanding disinformation and propaganda narratives.

Russia sought to downplay Western concerns about a (then) potential further Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian intelligence entities target Ukrainian and Russian citizens with disinformation attempting to label Ukraine and Ukrainian government officials as the aggressor in the Russia-Ukraine relationship. Russia’s disinformation playbook employs specifically placed propaganda at the behest of Russian intelligence services to manipulate and weaken perceived adversaries.

SVR-Directed Strategic Culture Foundation (SCF)

SCF is an online journal registered in Russia that is controlled by the SVR’s Directorate of Active Measures and is closely affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. SCF was designated pursuant to E.O. 13848 on April 15, 2021, for having engaged in foreign interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Since then, SCF has continued to make attempts to reach an audience, despite being banned on many social media and payment platforms following U.S. sanctions. SCF has created additional media outlets to promote its narratives, including Odna Rodyna and Rhythm of Eurasia . In 2021, SCF used Odna Rodyna to reach Ukrainian audiences. In 2021, SCF posted content alleging that the United States was supporting Ukraine in order to “debilitate Russia.” The SVR and SCF work to promote another affiliated media outlet, Journal Kamerton , which hosts a litany of articles denigrating Ukraine. Svetlana Georgiyevna Zamlelova (Zamlelova) is the Chief Editor of Journal Kamerton. One of the SCF’s main tactics is to publish Western fringe thinkers and conspiracy theorists, giving them wider reach, while trying to obscure the Russian origins of the journal. This tactic helps the site appear to be an organic voice within its target audience of Westerners. SCF affiliates Odna Rodyna, Rhythm of Eurasia, and Journal Kamerton are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13848 for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, SCF. Zamlelova is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13848 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Journal Kamerton.

Additional SVR-Directed Disinformation Networks

Russia’s SVR directs two additional disinformation outlets, New Eastern Outlook and Oriental Review . Both media outlets spread many types of disinformation about international organizations, military conflicts, protests, and any divisive issues that they can exploit. Recently, both outlets spread false information to undermine COVID-19 vaccines. New Eastern Outlook is a pseudo-academic publication of the Russian Academy of Science’s Institute of Oriental Studies that promotes disinformation and propaganda focused primarily on the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. It combines pro-Kremlin views of Russian academics with anti-U.S. views of Western fringe voices and conspiracy theorists. In 2022, Oriental Review shared content that denigrated the United States' handling of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. New Eastern Outlook and Oriental Review are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf, directly or indirectly, the GoR.

Today, OFAC is targeting seven SCF employees that have helped perpetuate their false narratives. Vladimir Ilich Maksimenko (Maksimenko) and Andrey Grigoryevich Areshev (Areshev), served as Directors for SCF. Irina Sergeyevna Bubnova (Bubnova) and Anton Sergeyevich Bespalov (Bespalov), worked in editing and social media operations. Sergei Ivanovich Saenko (Saenko) monitored SCF’s social media operations. Natalya Petrovna Skorokhodova (Skorokhodova) worked to recruit and pay U.S. contributors to SCF. Yuriy Anatolyevich Prokofyev (Prokofyev) served as SCF’s president. Maksimenko, Areshev, Skorokhodova , Bubnova, Bespalov, Prokofyev, and Saenko are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13848 for having materially assisted, sponsored or provided financial, material or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, SCF, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13848.

GRU-Directed InfoRos

InfoRos is a news agency that is primarily run by the GRU’s 72nd Main Intelligence Information Center (GRITs). GRITs is a unit within Russia’s Information Operations Troops, which is identified as Russia’s military force for conducting cyber espionage , influence, and offensive cyber operations. InfoRos operates under two organizations, “InfoRos, OOO” and “IA InfoRos.” InfoRos has used a network of websites , including nominally independent websites, to spread false conspiracy narratives and disinformation promoted by GRU officials, to include spreading disinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 15, 2021, InfoRos, OOO and IA InfoRos were designated pursuant to section 224(a)(1)(B) of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) , E.O. 13694 as amended, and E.O. 13382, for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of the GRU, a person designated under section 224(a)(1)(A) of CAATSA, and pursuant to E.O. 13694, as amended, and E.O. 13382.

Around 2012, InfoRos reportedly began branching out throughout Russia registering over 1,000 online sites, effectively creating a network of networks that secretly distributes the Russian government’s preferred account of events. In early December 2021, a Ukraine-based InfoRos contributor submitted an editorial for publication on the InfoRos website, intended for Russian readership, blaming Ukraine for provoking Russia.

Today, OFAC is targeting nine InfoRos employees. OFAC is designating InfoRos General Directors Andrey Vitalyevich Ilyashenko and Anastasiya Sergeyevna Kirillova, InfoRos Executive Editor Maksim Borisovich Krasovskiy , InfoRos Director Nina Viktoronova Dorokhova , InfoRos web master Yevgeniya Vitalyevna Nezhdanova , InfoRos editors Aleksandra Aleksandrovna Kamyshanova , and Denis Sergeyevich Tatarchenko , InfoRos Project Director Maksim Iosifovich Krans , and InfoRos employee Valeriy Ivanovich Pogrebenkov , for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, InfoRos, OOO, pursuant to section 224(a)(l)(B) of CAATSA, E.O. 13694, as amended, and E.O. 13382.

FSB-Directed NewsFront

NewsFront is a Crimea-based disinformation and propaganda outlet that worked with FSB officers to coordinate a narrative that undermined the credibility of a news website advocating for human rights. NewsFront was also used to distribute false information about the COVID-19 vaccine. With the self-proclaimed goal of providing an “alternative source of information” for Western audiences, Newsfront is particularly focused on supporting Russia-backed forces in Ukraine. Newsfront was designated pursuant to section 224(a)(l)(B) of CAATSA, E.O. 13694, as amended, and E.O. 13382 on April 15, 2021, for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the FSB.

Today, OFAC is targeting four NewsFront Employees. Konstantin Sergeyevich Knyrik (Knyrik), the director and founder of NewsFront, has written and published articles at the behest of FSB officers and obtained funding for NewsFront from its financial sponsor, Yuriy Sergeyevich Fedin (Fedin). NewsFront cofounder Mikhail Anatolyevich Sinelin (Sinelin) and NewsFront deputy director Yevgeniy Eduardovich Glotov (Glotov) have supported NewsFront’s attempts to establish alternate mediums in order to evade sanctions. Glotov has also written an article falsely alleging U.S. interference in Ukrainian mass media.

Knyrik is being designated pursuant to section 224(a)(l)(B) of CAATSA, E.O. 13694, as amended, and E.O. 13382, for acting on or purporting to act for or behalf of, directly or indirectly, the FSB and NewsFront. Sinelin, Glotov, and Fedin are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13694, as amended, and E.O. 13382, for having materially assisted, sponsored or provided financial, material or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, NewsFront.

FSB-Directed SouthFront

SouthFront is a disinformation site that receives taskings from the FSB. Following the 2020 U.S. presidential election, SouthFront sought to promote perceptions of voter fraud during the 2020 U.S. presidential election cycle, and was designated pursuant to E.O. 13848, E.O. 13694, as amended, and E.O. 13382 on April 15, 2021, for having engaged in foreign interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the FSB.

Since its designation, SouthFront has struggled to generate revenue and attract contributors. Attempting to evade sanctions to keep its platform alive, SouthFront solicited donations and attempted to conceal its identity from payment processors. SouthFront and its employees remain focused on attempting to influence U.S. elections through the spread of false information. Although it previously focused on the 2020 U.S. presidential election. SouthFront has also spread information suggesting that Ukraine or NATO could use chemical weapons within the country with hopes to blame it on Russia.

Today, OFAC is targeting four SouthFront employees. Denis Yakovlevich Gafner (Gafner) is involved in running the website and soliciting funds from readers. Aelita Leonidovna Mamakova (Mamakova) is responsible for soliciting financial donations from readers to SouthFront and publishing material. Aleyona Anatolyevna Chuguleva (Chuguleva) is a SouthFront employee. Valeriya Kalabayeva (Kalabayeva) produced content for SouthFront. Gafner, Mamakova, Chuguleva, and Kalabayeva are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382, E.O. 13694, as amended, E.O. 13848 for having materially assisted, sponsored or provided financial, material or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, SouthFront.

Additional Disinformation Sites

In 2020, media influence organization Project Lakhta, owned by Prigozhin, developed a new website, United World International (UWI). Since at least 2014, Project Lakhta has used among other things, fictitious online personas that posed as U.S. persons to interfere in U.S. elections, as the IRA did during the 2016 U.S. election. In 2022, UWI suggested that Ukraine would “perish” if it is admitted to NATO. UWI’s chief editor, Darya Aleksandrovna Dugina (Dugina), sought contributors to write articles on UWI. Dugina’s father, Alexander Dugin (Dugin), was first designated in 2015 pursuant to E.O. 13660 for being responsible for or complicit in actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, stability, or sovereignty or territorial integrity of Ukraine. Dugin was a leader of the Eurasian Youth Union, which actively recruited individuals with military and combat experience to fight on behalf of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and has stated that it has a covert presence in Ukraine.

Dugin controls Geopolitica , a website that serves as a platform for Russian ultra-nationalists to spread disinformation and propaganda targeting Western and other audiences. For example, on February 8, 2022, Geopolitica published an article falsely accusing the U.S. and NATO of provoking war with Russia, in order to “further terrorize the American people in all sorts of malicious ways.”

UWI is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661, E.O. 13694, as amended, and E.O. 13848 for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Prigozhin. Dugina is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13661, E.O. 13694, as amended, and E.O. 13848, for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, UWI. Geopolitica is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13660 for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Dugin.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the individuals and entities above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

For identifying information on the individuals, entities, and property sanctioned or identified today. 

Photo Credit: Yacht Photo: Wirestock.adobe.com 

Photo Credit: Airplane Photo: AirMartin Erdniss - stock.adobe.com

US court blocks government sale of seized Russian oligarch's yacht

T he New York court has denied the US government the right to sell the luxurious yacht Amadea belonging to a Russian businessman, which was seized back in 2022. The proceeds from the sale of the vessel were intended to be transferred to Ukraine's benefit, according to Voice of America.

According to the US government, the super-yacht belongs to Russian businessman Suleiman Kerimov, who is under sanctions.

Two years ago in May, Fiji confiscated the Amadea vessel, subsequently handing it over to the USA.

Expenses for the confiscated yacht

It is worth noting that the US taxpayer is required to spend about $740,000 a month on maintenance and insurance for the 106-meter Amadea.

In order to reduce these costs, the US government requested permission to sell the vessel and convert its value into cash. Such practices are quite common in cases of civil forfeiture when the asset's value depreciates rapidly or its upkeep becomes too expensive.

Thus, the United States government sought to sell this super-yacht, estimated at $230 million, and transfer the proceeds to Ukraine as part of its support efforts.

Court proceedings and verdict

Meanwhile, legal proceedings are still ongoing, as the case of civil forfeiture became complicated after another Russian billionaire, Eduard Khudainatov, who is not under US sanctions, claimed ownership of Amadea.

In considering the case, the Southern District Court of New York this week ruled that the expenses for maintaining Amadea were not "excessive."

According to the court's ruling, in order to assess whether the maintenance expenses for Amadea are excessive, American court should not "look solely at the total dollar amount of the maintenance costs, but must principally consider whether those amounts are more than what is usual as compared to the maintenance costs for other similar yachts."

Thus, the court ruled that the government failed to prove that the expenses met this standard.

It is worth adding that the US Department of Justice has the right to appeal this decision.

Attempts by the oligarch to lift the yacht's arrest

In addition, two days after the decision was made, attorneys for Khudainatov and the company directly owning Amadea filed a memorandum opposing attempts by the US government to exclude Khudainatov from the case.

Although the prosecution claims that Khudainatov is not the actual owner of the yacht and has no right to challenge its confiscation, the memorandum from his defenders states that he is indeed the true owner, and thus Amadea is not subject to confiscation at all.

In June 2022, the USA won a legal battle over the arrest of the Russian super-yacht Amadea in Fiji. At that time, the United States took control of the vessel worth $325 million and relocated it from the southern part of the Pacific Ocean.

Earlier, it was reported that the United States imposed sanctions on two yachts linked to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin

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Publications

Uae investments in russia: a testament to growing bilateral ties .

• Commentary Middle East and North Africa · Russia Caucasus and Central Asia by Chiara Lovotti

Historically, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia shared a relatively modest relationship, characterised by limited economic interactions and cautious political engagement. However, the past two decades have seen a notable shift, with the two countries recognising mutual benefits in closer cooperation both in the economic and geo-strategic domain . Economically, for the UAE, this transformation occurred within the context of a broader international strategy initiated in the early 2000s. This strategy focused on diversifying the country’s economy away from oil and seeking new opportunities in emerging markets: Russia was one of these. For Russia, the UAE represented a strategic location as a trading hub in between Europe, Asia and Africa, and facilitating its access to Middle Eastern markets. Since the late 1990s, Moscow began to cement its partnership with the Arab country: Russian exports to the Emirates gained significant momentum, and a growing Russian diaspora emerged especially in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, comprising business professionals, skilled workers, and entrepreneurs who were attracted by these cities’ dynamic economy and investment opportunities. 

In more recent years, the relationship between the two countries has reached another level, marked by deep economic, political, and strategic ties . Against this backdrop, while seeking a greater international role – including in the Asian continent – the UAE has significantly ramped up its investments in Russia (particularly in sectors like energy, infrastructure, real estate, and technology) and strategic dialogue with Moscow. At the same time, and particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the UAE has emerged as a critical partner for Russia. What is the UAE up to in Russia, and what is Russia up to in the UAE? What are the main drivers, features, and prospects of this growing partnership? 

The drivers of the UAE’s investment to Russia 

The primary drivers of UAE investments in Russia have been the pursuit of a diversified economic portfolio, aligning with the country’s strategy to increase diversification across both economic sectors and international partners. The UAE’s sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), including Mubadala Investment Company and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), have been at the forefront of this initiative. These entities have made substantial investments in various Russian sectors, including energy, technology, infrastructure, and agriculture.  

In the energy sector , particularly oil and gas, the UAE’s investments in Russian projects have been significant. Already in 2013, Mubadala has established a co-investment programme with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) , aimed at co-investing in projects such as the development of oil fields in Siberia and the construction of a high-tech innovation center in Skolkovo. Additionally, Mubadala has taken a substantial stake in several Russian energy companies, including a notable investment in Gazprom Neft in 2020. Another significant investment by Mubadala is in the development of the Arctic LNG 2 project, a large liquefied natural gas (LNG) initiative that enhances Russia’s LNG production and export capabilities. 

Another area of interest is technology and innovation . Over the past few years, the UAE has been particularly keen on developing its tech industry, and Russia’s advanced technological capabilities have presented a good partnership opportunity. For example, Mubadala has partnered with the RDIF to invest in promising Russian tech companies, such as Yandex , one of Russia’s largest technology companies known for its internet-related services. Additionally, there has been a focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning, with investments in Skolkovo Innovation Center, which is known for its tech incubators and research facilities. Another notable collaboration is in the field of space exploration , where the UAE and Russia have signed inter-governmental agreements to work together on space missions and satellite technologies (2021), leveraging Russia’s extensive experience in space research and the UAE’s ambitious space program. 

Investments in infrastructure and logistics have also been pivotal in strengthening UAE-Russia economic relations. The UAE has invested significantly in Russia’s transportation and logistics sectors, aiming to enhance trade routes between the two countries and beyond. For instance, already in 2016, DP World, a leading UAE-based global port operator, has entered a joint venture with the RDIF to develop port terminals and logistics infrastructure in key locations in Russia, such as the Baltic and Far Eastern regions, which are crucial for connecting the country to global market routes. In 2023, DP World has also signed an agreement with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom to develop the Northern Transit Corridor. Such partnership aims to create a sustainable shipping route between Asia and Europe via the Arctic, significantly reducing transit times and environmental impacts. This route, also known as the Northern Sea Route (NSR), could cut up to 19 days off the sailing time between Southeast Asia and Northwest Europe compared to traditional routes.  

Emirati companies have also contributed to the modernisation of Russia’s agricultural sector , which has become an increasingly important area of cooperation between the two countries. Russia, with its vast arable land, is a major agricultural producer, and the UAE’s investments in this sector aim to secure food supplies for its population and promote agricultural technology exchanges. ADIA (Abu Dhabi Investment Authority), for instance, has financed large-scale farming and food production projects in Russia. The focus on agribusiness has resulted in increased agricultural exports from Russia to the UAE, including essential commodities such as wheat, barley, legumes, and poultry meat. 

Russian interests in the UAE 

All these investments and joint ventures prove the UAE’s interest in partnering with Russia across a variety of domains and through a variety of modalities. On their side, Russian businesses have increased their presence in the UAE , benefiting from its status as a global trade and financial hub. This development has become starkly evident in the two years following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (2022-2024). Russian exports to the UAE have almost doubled, with trade values rising from $4.61 billion in 2021 to $8.07 billion in 2022 . In the run of a few months, this shift has brought the UAE to be Russia’s seventh global trade partner, following China, India, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Japan and South Korea; thus, also classifying the UAE as the first Arab country for Russian exports in goods and commodities. 

Cultural and social exchanges have also played a role in strengthening UAE-Russia ties. Tourism in particular has seen remarkable growth, also thanks to the existence of direct flights and visa facilitation schemes, that have made travel more accessible. Between January and April 2023, Dubai is estimated to have welcomed 474,000 Russian tourists , making Russia one of the top sources of visitors​. Educational collaborations have also flourished, with student exchange programs, joint research projects, and academic partnerships. Russian universities have welcomed Emirati students, while UAE institutions have hosted Russian scholars, fostering academic and cultural ties. The opening of an UAE lecture hall at Moscow’s MGIMO University in 2023 (whose ceremony was attended by Minister Lavrov) and the Plekhanov University holding an Open Day event at the Dubai Knowledge Park in 2024, are small signs of growing cooperation in this sector.   

Most importantly, however, Russian business found especially in the UAE a ‘safe haven’ from Western sanctions. Many Russian banks have transferred their funds to the UAE to protect them from potential seizures and to continue operations without the constraints imposed by European regulations. Russian investments especially in Dubai’s real estate market increased dramatically, with Russians spending around $6.3 billion on properties in 2022 , making them the top non-resident buyers of residential real estate in the Emirate. Such investments also facilitated the relocation of many Russians – mainly oligarchs and wealthy citizens – to the country. Emirati ports and harbours have also welcomed luxury yachts and private planes belonging to some of the most famous Russian oligarchs, many of whom are under sanctions. The UAE’s welcoming policies, designed to attract wealthy foreign investors from all over the world, have been especially appealing to Russians, offering practical solutions for fleeing their country while allowing them to continue their business activities undisturbed.  

The political side of the growing UAE-Russia partnership 

Looking ahead, the future of UAE-Russia ties appears promising. The continued diversification of the UAE’s investment portfolio, coupled with Russia’s need to cement non-Western partnerships, sets the stage for sustained growth of bilateral ties. This is all the more true as, beyond economic interests, broader political consideration very much nurtures the UAE-Russia partnership. Over the past few years, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the two countries have shared common views concerning security developments both in the MENA region and in global affairs. They have aligned their approaches to various regional conflicts, such as those in Libya and Syria, and have coordinated on diplomatic initiatives. Their collaboration extended to defense, counter-terrorism efforts, and regulation of global oil markets. The two countries have come together in different international forums, where they have demonstrated to often share similar visions on key global issues (mainly the Shanghai Cooperation Organization – where the UAE has been granted Dialogue Partner status in 2023 – and the BRICS’ bloc, where the UAE was officially admitted, alongside Saudi Arabia, in January 2024. The inclusion of the UAE in such multilateral forums, where Russia is a major partner, is particularly emblematic of this deepening alliance. These forum’s enlargement does not only bolster UAE-Russia ties but reflects a mutual interest in fostering economic and political collaborations outside Western-dominated frameworks. Indeed, it is no coincidence that the dynamics of the Russia-UAE relationship has come under increased international scrutiny. 

Historically modest, the UAE-Russia relationship has transformed into a deep strategic partnership over the past two decades.

China and Russia Test the Global Maritime Governance

The two countries expressed dissatisfaction with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Are law and order sailing into troubled waters?

Is the Western Balkans’ past Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s future? 

Russia's recent aggression against Ukraine has reignited the EU's enlargement process, particularly for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, while the Western Balkans face growing disillusionment with their own accession prospects.

Armenia’s European aspirations: navigating geopolitical challenges and economic dependencies 

Despite economic challenges and existing agreements with the Eurasian Economic Union, Armenia seeks closer alignment with the EU.

20 years after the ‘Big Bang’ enlargement: the EU looks East 

Is the EU ready to welcome new members?

Georgia’s European Struggle

Georgia's democratic aspirations clash with authoritarian tendencies as the ruling party pushes divisive legislation, threatening progress towards EU integration.

The UAE’s Rising Military Role in Africa: Defending Interests, Advancing Influence

The United Arab Emirates' activism in Africa centers on maritime control, with two key strategic routes: the Red Sea towards the Mediterranean and towards the Indian Ocean. The UAE's military involvement follows three main patterns: combating jihadist terrorism, defense cooperation with African states, and involvement in conflict zones such as Libya and Sudan.

Oman’s Sultan Goes to the UAE: Why it Matters Also to the US and China

Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have revived their bilateral relations, elevating Oman's status as a key infrastructural hub in the region.

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Ukraine war latest: Countries remove names from Ukraine peace summit documents - as Moscow responds to NATO chief's nuclear comments

A number of countries' names are removed from a peace communique drafted after a summit in Switzerland. It comes as Kremlin figures respond to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg's remarks on the alliance's nuclear preparedness - and with Vladimir Putin in North Korea today on a two-day summit.

Tuesday 18 June 2024 15:31, UK

• Russian region hit in wave of attacks
• Countries remove names from Ukraine peace summit documents
• NATO chief's nuclear comments prompt Kremlin response
• Putin thanks North Korea for supporting his actions in Ukraine
• 10 Russian drones downed overnight, says Ukraine's air force
• Your questions answered: Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?
• Analysis: Putin's visit to North Korea is a diplomatic two-fingers to West
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live reporting from Mark Wyatt and Jess Sharp

A Ukrainian soldier has been beheaded by Russian soldiers in Donetsk, Ukraine's prosecutor general has claimed. 

Andriy Kostin shared an image on social media purporting to show a decapitated head on the bonnet of an armoured vehicle. Sky News has not verified the photo. 

"This terrible barbarism must have no place in the 21st century," he said. 

He said the incident was proof that Russia has committed war crimes as part of its "planned strategy". 

"These criminal orders were given at the command level of the battalion and company of the occupation forces," Mr Kostin added.

A pre-trial investigation into the incident has been launched, Mr Kostin's office said in a statement shared on Telegram. 

We've now received more images of Vladimir Putin on his visit to the Russian city of Yakutsk today.

Accompanied by the head of the Republic of Sakha, Aisen Nikolayev, Mr Putin can be seen inspecting models of weapons and equipment produced in the far eastern regions for the Russian armed forces involved in the country's military campaign in Ukraine.

Once his trip is finished, Mr Putin will leave Russia to begin his visit to North Korea. It will be the first time he has visited the country in 24 years.

It is not yet clear whether Mr Putin has left Yakutsk or what time he is due to arrive in Pyongyang.

Nearly two million Ukrainians have updated their military registration records since a new mobilisation law came into force on 18 May.

The law mandates that all eligible citizens aged between 18 and 60 update their registration data within 60 days.

The revised legislation aims to simplify the identification of conscripts nationwide in a bid to bolster Ukraine's forces on the battlefield.

Incentives such as cash bonuses and financial aid for housing or a car have been offered to those who join.

Ukrainians can update their information on a dedicated app called Reserve+ or go to an administrative service centre in person.

According to deputy defence minister Kateryna Chernohorenko, 1.5 million citizens have updated their data through the mobile app.

A further 233,000 have reportedly updated their records in person, while 208,000 have done so via military recruitment offices.

The highest number of updates from abroad came from Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada, and the United States.

The Kremlin has shared images of Vladimir Putin holding a meeting with Aisen Nikolayev, head of the Sakha Republic.

The Russian president is in the city of Yakutsk, some 3,000 miles to the east of Moscow.

Iraq and Rwanda are among the countries to have withdrawn their signatures from the communique signed at last weekend's Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, it has emerged.

Over 90 countries attended the two-day talks at the behest of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, billed as a peace summit. 

Russia was not invited, while China snubbed the event. Attendees were mostly from Europe, the US and other Western allies, but included countries from Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The communique, issued at the end of the conference in Burgenstock, supported Ukraine's territorial integrity in the face of Russia's invasion.

The document was signed by nations such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Ukraine, the UK and the US.

Also included on the list of signatories were Iraq and Jordan, though their names have since been struck off the list published on the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs website.

Jordan has also reportedly been taken off the list.

The process of making adjustments to the list is "still ongoing", according to Swiss foreign ministry spokesman Valentin Kliwa. 

Speaking to Russian state news agency TASS, he clarified that countries can withdraw their signatures or join the group of states until 18 June inclusive.

Earlier today, Mr Zelenskyy announced that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople - one of the churches that helps make up the Eastern Orthodox Church - had joined the list.

Ukrainians will be guaranteed to have power restriction schedules for two winters, according to the director of the Energy Research Centre in Ukraine.

Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's energy sector have intensified since March, resulting in blackouts in many regions as half of the country's power generating capacity has been knocked out.

Oleksandr Kharchenko said restrictions would not be necessary if the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was back in Ukraine's hands.

The giant Russian-held nuclear plant is on the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and stopped generating power in 2022.

Both countries have accused each other of shelling the plant and risking a serious nuclear accident.

"The state of Ukraine's energy system currently stands at three working maximum capacity points out of 12," Mr Kharchenko told Ukrainian TV channel Kyiv24.

"If we could somehow get back to managing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and put at least two to three units into operation, it would be a huge factor that would change the situation in the energy system. 

"Restrictions would be practically unnecessary or would be needed very rarely."

Russia's Pacific Fleet will hold exercises between 18-28 June in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, the Tass state news agency has said.

The report says the exercises will include approximately 40 ships and vessels. Some 20 naval aircraft and helicopters, including anti-submarine and search and recue helicopters, will also be in the manoeuvres.

Yesterday, Russian navy vessels left Cuba after arriving in the Havana harbour in a move seen by many as a Russian show of force.

A Russian military court has sentenced a Ukrainian woman to 12 years in prison for "spreading disinformation" and "taking part in a terrorist organisation," according to independent Russian media outlet Mediazona.

Krystyna Liubashenko says she was tricked and blackmailed into coming to Moscow and carrying out the protest, which included playing a recording of an anti-war speech and a Ukrainian anthem and launching balloons with a Russian opposition flag.

Facing financial difficulties after fleeing Kyiv and moving to Switzerland following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ms Liubashenko reportedly met a neighbour who lent her money to go to Moscow and hold an anti-war protest.

The neighbour, identified in the report as Vitalii Yurchenko, is later said to have insisted that Ms Liubashenko fly the white-blue-white flag associated with the Freedom of Russia Legion group that opposes the Kremlin.

The legion was declared a terrorist group by Russia last March.

Ms Liubashenko initially refused the demands but was convinced when Mr Yurchenko reportedly threatened to report her to Swiss authorities, who would take her two daughters away.

At her trial in Russia, Ms Liubashenko's defence presented this as evidence of blackmail, though she was still sentenced to 12 years.

It is believed that Russia has detained more than 7,000 Ukrainian civilians since the start of its invasion.

An overnight attack on two oil depots in Russia's Rostov region was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), according to reports.

Russian authorities reported fires spread across 5,000 cubic metres in the town of Azov, with dozens of firefighters trying to tackle the blaze (see 08:30 post).

As we reported here earlier, it was the second wave of attacks on the Russian border region in the last two days.

According to the Kyiv Independent, the SBU's drone attack successfully targeted 22 oil storage tanks.

"The SBU will continue to implement 'drone sanctions' against the Russian oil refining complex and reduce the economic potential of the enemy, which provides the aggressor with resources for waging war against Ukraine," the source added.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy says the communique signed by more than 80 nations at last weekend's Swiss peace summit is still open for more to join.

The document, issued at the end of a Ukraine-led peace conference in Burgenstock, supported Ukraine's territorial integrity in the face of Russia's invasion.

About 100 countries took part in the conference, but Russia was not invited and China snubbed the event. Attenders were mostly from Europe, the US and other western allies, but included countries from Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Some key regional powers were among those not to sign the communique, including Brazil, India, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

Addressing this at the end of the summit, Mr Zelenskyy said that "unfortunately, there are people who are still balancing". 

Today he announced that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople - one of the churches that helps make up the Eastern Orthodox Church - had signed the communique.

Mr Zelenskyy added that the document would remain open for signatures and that he was "confident that more countries and international organisations will join". 

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