They can run, but they can't hide from UDT teams and limpet mines

Russian Oligarchs dispatch their yachts to the Indian Ocean to escape sanctions

A growing number of superyachts belonging to Russian tycoons have made their way to the Indian Ocean, cruising around the Maldives and Seychelles, according to Bloomberg News. 

The four biggest yachts in the Maldives right now are Russian-owned. The largest, the 459-foot Ocean Victory, belongs to steel magnate Victor Rashnikov, according to SuperyachtFan.com.

On Wednesday, authorities in Germany seized Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov’s 500-foot megayacht, the Dilbar, as part of the package of sanctions against the Kremlin and its supporters, Forbes magazine reported.

The ship was taken by authorities in the north German port of Hamburg on Wednesday. The megayacht is estimated to be worth $600 million.

Billionaire Oleg Deripaska’s 238-foot yacht, Clio, is headed for the Maldives from Sri Lanka. No stranger to sanctions, Deripaska was among seven Russian oligarchs sanctioned in 2018 by the U.S. Treasury Department.

The kleptocrats’ pal Vladimir knew what he had in mind, of course, so he pulled his own boat from a German shipyard back in early February. He forgot to tell his friends.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s yacht named ‘Graceful’ left Germany abruptly before even finishing repairs, according to reports from German media. While it is still unclear what prompted the move, it is imperative to mention that this comes amid a time when the West has warned Moscow of sanctions over ongoing Russia-Ukraine border tensions. As per reports, Putin’s $100 million yacht left port in Hamburg and relocated to Kaliningrad, which is part of the Russian territory. 

Following the reports of Putin’s yacht being relocated, some political analysts speculated that sanctions could target certain luxury assets which is why Graceful was spotted sailing for Kaliningrad. According to Boat International report, the yacht arrived last year in Hamburg, where it has been receiving several modifications, including two forward balconies and an extension to the swimming platform. However, now, amid fears the West would impose sanctions if Russia invaded Ukraine, the boat was spotted on a public maritime-traffic-tracking site sailing towards Russia from Hamburg shipyard.

vlad the impaler heads out to sea