Russian oligarch's most prized assets, from superyachts and jets to properties are being targeted by sanctions. Here's what's been seized so far.
- Oligarchs have been the target of Western countries' sanctions amid Russia's war in Ukraine.
- Some of their assets, including superyachts and properties, have been seized by governments.
- Here's a look at the assets that have been seized.
Sanctioned Russian oligarchs have had their assets seized by governments due to sanctions levied against them by Western countries following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Sanctions have hit some of the wealthiest businessmen, including Chelsea FC's owner Roman Abramovich , Alexei Mordashov, who is currently Russia's third-richest man, and the family of Dmitry Peskov , who is Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson.
The actions taken against key Russian figures aimed to choke off the country's ability to access critical cash reserves and cut it off from the world. Meanwhile, Russian billionaires have had their superyachts and properties seized, as well as their jets detained on the grounds.
The whereabouts of Abramovich's two superyachts, worth more than $1 billion, have been scrutinized and monitored in recent weeks. He has been spotted at peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and was reportedly the target of a suspected poison attack.
A month on from Russia invading Ukraine, here's a look at what has been seized so far.
Superyachts
Superyachts, many of which are worth millions of dollars, have been primarily targeted by sanctions. However, while authorities have tried to seize several of the 400 sanctioned Russian oligarchs, some remain untraceable. At least nine superyachts owned by Russian tycoons switched off their tracking systems after the Ukraine war began.
Linked to Igor Sechin, Russia's former deputy prime minister and CEO of state-controlled oil giant Rosneft, Amore Vero was seized by French authorities on March 3.
Sechin, whose yacht is valued at $120 million , has been sanctioned by the US, UK and EU.
Lena and Lady M
Italy seized two superyachts in the following days. Lena was seized on March 5, and belongs to Gennady Timchenko, whose family have also been sanctioned. The second superyacht seized belongs to Russia's wealthiest businessman Alexei Mordashov, according to Forbes .
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Timchenko has been sanctioned by the EU, who described him as a "long-time acquaintance" of Putin. He has also been sanctioned by the UK and the US.
Mordashov has been sanctioned by the UK and the EU, who says he is "benefitting from his links from Russian decision-makers."
Sailing Yacht A
Belonging to Andrey Melnichenko , his megayacht was seized by Italian authorities on March 11, and is worth $578 million .
Sailing Yacht A is the world's largest sailing yacht at around 469 feet long and has eight decks.
Melnichenko, who is worth $11 billion according to Forbes, founded fertilizer producer EuroChem Group and coal energy company SUEK.
Spanish authorities seized Valerie on March 14. In a televised speech, however, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez did not name the owner. Two sources told Reuters that it belonged to oligarch Sergei Chemezov, and the yacht is worth $153 million.
Chemezov, CEO of Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec was named in US sanctions in March 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. The most recent US sanctions also target Chemezov's wife, son, and stepdaughter.
Linked to Igor Sechin , Crescent was seized by Spain, two weeks following Amore Vero being seized by France.
The yacht is worth $600 million.
Lady Anastasia
Spain detained Lady Anastasia, which is owned by Alexander Mikheev, on March 15.
Mikheev is the CEO of Russian state-owned military weapons company, Rosoboronexport. He was sanctioned by the US on March 15.
The yacht was subject to a sinking attempt from a Ukrainian crew member while it was docked in Mallorca on February 26.
Worth $50 million, Phi was seized by the UK after mooring in London for an awards ceremony.
The National Crime Agency did not reveal the name of the owner but mentioned it belongs to a Russian businessman and that the yacht is valued at £38 million ($49.9 million.)
Gibraltar's government said it seized the $75 million superyacht belonging to a sanctioned Russian oligarch.
Dmitry Pumpyansky, who has an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion, is the owner of Russia's largest steel-pipe-maker, TMK.
Alexei Mordashov's building complex , worth $116 million, was seized on March 18 in Portisco, Sardinia, Italy.
Swiss authorities, who broke their neutral status to adopt sanctions, seized a mountain home , believed to belong to oligarch Petr Aven.
According to Reuters , Italy authorities seized both Alisher Usmanov's luxury villa worth $19 million in Sardinia, and Russian politician Oleg Savchenko's mansion worth $3 million in Tuscany.
Some properties in the UK, which have not been seized or detained but belong to sanctioned individuals, have been frozen. Squatters entered the mansion belonging to Oleg Deripaska in Belgrave Square, London on March 14.
The UK detained two jets belonging to Eugene Shvidler — $45 million Bombardier Global 6500 (not pictured) and $13 million Cessna Citation Latitude. Shvidler was added to the UK sanctions list on March 24, which said he had "close business links to Roman Abramovich."
Shvidler partnered with Abramovich to gain control of oil giant Sibneft via an auction in 1995, and he was chairman of Abramovich's investment and asset management company Millhouse LLC, but stepped down when Abramovich was sanctioned.
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