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LUNA Yacht – Glamorous $300M Superyacht

LUNA yacht has had an incredible journey over the years and has had a few facelifts as well.

Until now, LUNA is famous for being the world’s largest expedition yacht. Despite its large size, it is also known for having many family-friendly amenities that create a homey feel to it.

LUNA yacht interior

The interior of LUNA is chic but calming, which differs from the intensity of its exterior’s hard lines.

The designer, Lloyd Werft wanted to make sure each room of this vessel was appreciated appropriately.

The lounge and dining room are split by a wall and fireplace, so guests can enjoy different experiences in each room.

Guests can also enjoy a moment of serenity in the low aft deck’s sun worship room.

After some deep breathing exercises here, guests can also take a swim in the large pool that was once the largest pool on a superyacht.

Some other amenities on the LUNA superyacht are two tender garages, a gym, a beach club, a steam bath, a plunge pool, and a sauna.

It has a variety of activities for people to enjoy regardless of age.

Though LUNA has gone through many changes in her short lifetime, she continues to be a classic superyacht.

She is not only incredible to look at, but has everything needed for a good time out on the ocean.

LUNA was created to be a space for both adults and children to play in and have an unforgettable experience.

With the hard work of many workers and designers, LUNA has come to achieve that goal.

Specifications

The impressive LUNA yacht measures 115 meters and can reach top speeds of 22.5 knots.

It holds 9 staterooms that can house up to 18 guests and 49 crew members. The engine room of LUNA is different from most superyachts.

Not only is it large in volume, but it has a special polish that keeps the engine room squeaky clean.

Some staff members have described it as the cleanest engine room they have ever worked in.

There are seven generators that power the electric motors that take up less space on the ship, decrease vibrations, and make for a more economical ride.

Many have said that the original paint job was not the best, to put it lightly. One of its 130 jobs was to repaint the whole hull of the LUNA yacht.

It now has a mirror finish from end to end on its 2,000+ square meters of hull.

It took over 70 painters and eight months to finish this massive undertaking.

Now LUNA has a continuous shine along its hull with not a blemish in sight.

The interior of the LUNA yacht is chic but calming, which differs from the intensity of its exterior’s hard lines.

The LUNA yacht was created to be a space for both adults and children to play in and have an unforgettable experience.

LUNA yacht background

Originally built by Llod Werft Roman Abramovich, it was sold to Akhmedov in 2014.

With its change in owners, it also changed in appearance. LUNA had a 14-month-long process with around 130 jobs.

These changes included adding wine fridges and separating the ballast tank system. It took a lot of work, but it definitely improved on a classic superyacht.

Yacht Seizure

In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in May 2022, the yacht was seized in a German port due to its owner being tied to the Russian oligarch.

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Roman Abramovich upsets the Venetians as he blocks the view

Rock stars tethered their jet skis to the back of it during the film festival in Cannes, its clean lines have impressed quayside onlookers in Antibes, and England footballer Frank Lampard is reportedly set to propose to his television presenter girlfriend on board.

There can be no doubt that Roman Abramovich's enormous yacht Luna is enjoying the spotlight this summer as it tours the Mediterranean. But the citizens of Venice, a city more familiar than most with extravagant displays of wealth down the centuries, are not impressed.

The Russian oligarch's £115m, 377ft behemoth moored unannounced last week at one of the city's most stunning lagoon locations, as Abramovich and his girlfriend, Dasha Zhukova, pitched up for the Venice Biennale .

Local residents, accustomed to stunning views over St Mark's Basin, found themselves staring straight at the twin helipads and bulletproof windows of the vessel, which dwarfs all rival yachts at what has become an annual reunion of some of the most expensive private vessels in the world.

First to complain was Venice's mayor, Giorgio Orsoni, who is threatening a new tax on vessels such as the Luna. "The boats are getting too big and blocking the view," he said. "These yachts are showing up to see Venice for free, but St Mark's Basin is being turned into a motorway and we have to start limiting the traffic."

Marco Paolini, co-owner of the Caffè Florian on St Mark's Square, whose artsy customers launched the Biennale in 1895, condemned the "idiotic" presence of Abramovich's boat. "There are so many beautiful places here, why do these people have to bring their houses with them?" he said.

Complete with a covered pool, massive communications tower and a crew of 40, Luna is just one vessel in what has been dubbed Abramovich's "navy" of mega-yachts. Now moored at the Riva dei Sette Martiri, close to the Biennale Gardens, local bloggers have joked it could be mistaken for one of the more abstract installations at the show.

Abramovich, 44, has not been glimpsed amid the uproar. But Zhukova, 29, a noted party-thrower, has made the Luna the place to be seen for the critics, buyers and artists currently thronging Venice.

Elton John and Courtney Love were among the VIP crowd ducking in and out of the 89 national pavilions last week, with the longest queues at the British section, which has been given a makeover by installation artist Mike Nelson.

The boat, though unloved by locals who find themselves living temporarily in its shadow, has proved a celebrity magnet this summer, hosting singers Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale at Cannes after Madonna's visit last summer. Reports have also suggested that Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea football club, could lend Luna to Lampard so he can propose to Christine Bleakley of ITV's Daybreak .

Severino Rigo, a retired IBM engineer who lives on the Riva dei Sette Martiri, said: "The real eyesores are the security barriers the crews erect where they dock, which extend out two to three metres across the pavement."

"I do not recall ever seeing such a large yacht as Abramovich's moored so close to the Biennale," said Enrico Tantucci, who is covering the event for local newspaper La Nuova Venezia . "It's like waking up in the morning to find someone has built an office block where the water used to be – no wonder locals have been complaining."

Zhukova's latest artistic project is also unlikely to endear her to Venetians. Many of the city's residents are embroiled in a battle to rid the city of the huge advertising hoardings that have been covering historic palazzi while they undergo restoration. The Coca-Cola billboard which engulfed the Bridge of Sighs and helped to spark the controversy is close to where the Luna is docked.

Zhukova has reportedly asked around 60 artists to create fake 15-second adverts which will be shown on a huge jumbotron TV screen, mounted on a barge sailing up and down the Grand Canal.

Zhukova has said she wants to open a debate about the anti-ad campaign, given that proceeds from the billboards are being used to pay for the vital restoration of Venice's palazzi.

The arrival of the mega-yachts has also exacerbated tensions over the rapidly growing number of cruise ships which steam past St Mark's and down the Giudecca canal before dropping off thousands of passengers who "just have time to eat a frozen lasagna and look for a place to pee", according to one of the signatories to the growing Facebook campaign to stop the 50ft-tall cruisers they claim shake the foundations of Venice's ancient buildings.

Rigo said that the hundreds of cruise ships now filing past his window were an even bigger problem than the mega-yachts. "After all, the private boats represent high-quality tourism," he said.

Not everyone is so negative. Abramovich's huge wealth has become a crucial asset to the Biennale which, held every two years, has become the world's most important contemporary art event. His funding has prompted new competitions and collections. Franca Coin, president of the Venice Foundation, said residents should be grateful to Abramovich and Zhukova for patronising the arts. "One more yacht in Venice is a lesser evil," she told Corriere della Sera .

Zhukova, the daughter of a Russian tycoon, has made a substantial impact in the art world, successfully opening Moscow's first modern art gallery in a former bus depot, while helping her boyfriend in plans for a $400m arts complex on an island he is leasing in St Petersburg.

But for Rigo and his neighbours, support for the arts only partly compensates for the blight of so many gleaming trophies of the super-rich 20 metres from his front door: "The vessels only stay a few days, but I'd rather see the beautiful view from my window, and the tourists don't know what they're missing."

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Motor yacht Luna 115m delivered to Abramovich

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The world’s largest expedition yacht 115m Luna has been delivered to its new owner Russian billionaire Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich.

Roman Abramovich arrived at Kristiansand, Norway, to take delivery of the 115m motor yacht, which is the latest addition to Abramovich's personal fleet.

The Luxury expedition superyacht Luna was built in Germany by Lloyd Werft and Stahlbau Nord Shipyards and launched in late 2009, becoming the second largest yacht to be launched in 2009, after Eclipse.

Luna’s exterior styling has been done by Newcruise Design. The yacht features two helipads facing forward and to the rear around the large communications tower. Luna is equipped with transom doors at the sides, which lead directly to yacht's tenders.

A covered swimming pool and sunbathing areas are featured at the large, open aft deck, with a dedicated open luxury leisure area featuring a beach club leading down to the swim platform. Luna enables the owner to cruise greater distances without having to stop or refuel.

Abramovich is currently the third richest man in Russia and the 50th richest man in the world according to the 2010 Forbes list, with an estimated fortune of $11.2 billion. Abramovich has become the world's greatest spender on luxury yachts, and had been linked to five boats.

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Motor Yacht Luna 115m Delivered to Roman Abramovich

By B. Roberts

The delivery of motor yacht Luna, the world’s largest expedition yacht, took place on Saturday 10th April 2010. Her new owner was confirmed by newspapers to be Roman Abramovich, as he arrived at Kristiansand, Norway to take delivery of the 115m superyacht.

Abramovich travelled by private jet to Kjevik Airport where he was transferred to a helicopter with his family to the landing pads of M/Y Luna, located just south of Kristiansand's coast. M/Y Luna, the world’s largest expedition yacht, is the latest addition to Abramovich's personal fleet as reported by Norwegian paper fvn.no .

Launched last October by Lloyd Werft and Stahlbau Nord Shipyards, the 115m Motor Yacht Luna has recently undergone outfitting and painting. Luna has now made her way to her new owner who travelled with his family on her maiden luxury voyage around the Kristiansand Archipelago, enjoying a day out on what is now a part of the most revered personal fleet on the water.

Designs have also been released regarding Luna’s extremely luxurious and innovative design. Newcruise Design were responsible for M/Y Luna’s exterior styling, featuring two helicopter pads facing forward and to the rear around the large communications tower. She also holds transom doors at the sides, which lead directly to that yacht's high quality tenders.

The large, open aft deck holds a covered swimming pool and sunbathing areas, much like the stunning 82m Alfa Nero, with a dedicated open luxury leisure area featuring a beach club leading down to the swim platform. M/Y Luna is an expedition yacht in its own class, allowing the owner to cruise greater distances without having to stop or refuel; traversing difficult weather conditions at sea whilst enjoying a great amount of luxurious living spaces.

It is believed that Motor Yacht Eclipse , soon to become the world's largest mega yacht, will alsobe delivered to Roman Abramovich in time for the summer. Abramovich was ranked top in Forbes 2008 rich list with a current estimated worth of around $11.2 billion. With two of the largest and most stunning yachts to take the water paired with the ownership of Chelsea Football Club, we’ll be keeping an eye on what yachts venture to South Africa this year for the world cup.

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World’s largest expedition Motor Yacht Luna finds a new owner in Roman Abramovich

Imagine being onboard the world’s largest expedition yacht. Well, at least Roman Abramovich doesn’t have to imagine something like that. He reportedly picked up the motor yacht Luna, which is 115m long and the best of its genre in the world. Designed by Newcruise Design, the superyacht features two helicopter pads and a huge communications tower close to its tail end. The open aft deck comprises a closed swimming pool and sunbathing areas, similar to the 82m Alfa Nero. In short, you can bask in the lap of luxury even in the most perilous conditions.

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Madonna on Roman Abramovich’s yacht

Madonna has borrowed Roman Abramovich’s brand new yacht “Luna” while filming W.E., the new Duke of WIndsor movie she’s directing in the South of France. The luxurious yacht provides convenient accommodation for Madonna as she films the movie’s beach scenes, London’s Daily Mail reports. With a swimming pool, sunbathing deck, gaming area and two helipads, […]

Madonna has borrowed Roman Abramovich’s brand new yacht “Luna” while filming W.E., the new Duke of WIndsor movie she’s directing in the South of France.

The luxurious yacht provides convenient accommodation for Madonna as she films the movie’s beach scenes, London’s Daily Mail reports .

With a swimming pool, sunbathing deck, gaming area and two helipads, the 115 metre boat is the largest expedition yacht in the world. Abramovich also recently bought the $488million super yacht Eclipse – complete with missile-detection system, two helipads, luxury spa, swimming pool and miniature submarine.

Source: Luxist

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By SuperyachtNews 20 Apr 2018

115m M/Y ‘Luna’ seized in Dubai

One of the largest divorce payouts in history has led to the seizure of the nine-deck superyacht….

The well-known 115m explorer superyacht, Luna , has been seized in Dubai as judges at a London court have sought to enforce one of the largest divorce pay-outs in history. The court ruled that Russian owner, Farkhad Akhmedov, owes his ex-spouse, Tatiana Akhmedov, $567 million.

The couple married in 1993 and raised their two sons in London. According to a number of sources, in 2016, the court awarded Ms. Akhmedov £453 million ($825 million) for her ‘equal contributions to the welfare of the family’ – the largest sum ever granted for a divorce settlement in Britain.

In the judgement, the judge had suggested that Farkhad Akhmedov had attempted to ring-fence a number of assets from the UK courts, including the yacht, restricting her access to his global assets for her share of the settlement. However, according to Reuters, court documents show that the family trust of the billionaire won the right of appeal on Tuesday against the impounding of the nine-deck yacht, which has now been detained by UAE authorities.

Luna was originally built by Lloyd Werft shipyard in Germany for Chelsea Football Club owner, Roman Abramovich, in 2010. According to The Superyacht Intelligence Agency , at the time of her delivery, she was the 20th largest yacht in the world and is widely regarded as one of the most significant explorer yachts on the water.  

In April 2014, Abramovich sold Luna  to his close friend, Akhmedov, in a deal worth $360 million, according to an online source. In 2015, she embarked on a well-documented €50 million refit.

SuperyachtNews  will continue to post updates on the story as and when there are developments.  

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Roman Abramovich’s Yacht Fleet Past & Present

Say what you want about the elite, but you can’t help but marvel and low-key admire their spending habits when it comes to luxury toys. While Roman Abramovich might only be Russia’s 12th richest man (with a net worth of 9.8 billion USD), he’s undoubtedly the one you’ve heard the most about.

A fortune that began with a toy doll company, Abramovich and his now ex-wife used its success as a catalyst to world domination through everything from oil to consumer goods.

Among his arsenal of past and present superyachts, the billionaire tycoon also owns a private Boeing 767 and Gulfstream G650, while his ex-wife Irina took the Dassault Falcon 900 during their divorce settlement.

The pricetags below of these Roman Abramovich yachts – past and present – are in Australian dollars.

A Complete List of Roman Abramovich’s Yachts

Sussurro – $146 million.

Rumour has it that Sussurro is now owned by his ex-wife by way of a divorce settlement, and is rarely used regardless as it is almost always docked in Antibes.

ECSTASEA – $154 MILLION

Ecstasea is one of the fastest large yachts around, with an impressive 43,000 horsepower at a length of 86 metres.

LUNA – $386 MILLION

This 115-metre monstrosity boasts dual helipads and was built by Lloyd Werft at Stahlbau Nord Shipyards. The world’s second largest expedition yacht, the LUNA was sold to Abramovich’s friend and Azerbaijani billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov for 240 million Euro in 2014.

PELORUS – $386 MILLION

Clocking in at the same length and a very similar price tag, the Pelorus was built in 2003 by Lurssen and was briefly owned by a Saudi businessman before being sold to Abramovich the year after.

Optimised for long distance cruising, the Pelorus is without a doubt the sleekest of the tycoon’s line-up, with this vessel capable of 6000 nautical miles at 16 knots in a single voyage. Pelorus is now owned by Hong Kong businessman Samuel Tak Lee.

ECLIPSE – $643 MILLION

There’s no way Roman Abramovich could part from his flagship superyacht and the world’s largest by length at 163.5 metres. Known as the 1.5 billion dollar superyacht, Eclipse’s original cost price was realistically no more than 500 million USD.

Built in total secrecy by Blohm + Voss of Hamburg to custom request from Roman, Eclipse sports bulletproof windows, an advanced missile detection system and a provision to escape via submarine located at the bottom end of the yacht. Bond villain gadgets aside, its other amenities are things such as dual swimming pools and 20 jet skis.

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How many yachts does Roman Abramovich own?

Roman Abramovich owns five yachts named Sussurro, Ecstasea, Luna, Pelorus, and Eclipse

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Roman Abramovich’s yachts are worth $1.7 billion

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From ‘Solaris’ to ‘Eclipse’, comparing Roman Abramovich’s yachts by size and amenities

If one has to get a glimpse of what money can buy, the yachts of Roman Abramovich would perhaps be an excellent indicator. The Chelsea football club owner is renowned for his love of some of the world’s most beautiful sailing vessels whose majestic interiors can rival those of European palaces.

Roman Abramovich can buy any number of ships or yachts he wants. After all, Forbes estimates his net worth at around US$14.6 billion (or RM68 billion as of 31 August, 2021).

Besides Chelsea FC, the Russian-origin Israeli citizen has stakes in steel giant Evraz and mining company Norilsk Nickel. In 2005, Abramovich made US$13 billion (RM54 billion) by selling his 73 percent stake in the Russian oil firm, Sibneft, to Gazprom.

Abramovich was the governor of the Chukotka region in the Russian Far East from 2001 to 2013. During the period, he spent US$2.5 billion (RM10.4 billion) on the development of the region.

The billionaire’s fascination with gigantic luxury yachts is a reflection of the automotive toys , ranging from supercars to some of the swankiest private jets, the ultra-rich love to splurge on .

While Abramovich’s fleet will soon have a new member, Solaris , the current crown jewel among his vessels is Eclipse — one of the world’s three largest yachts. There are others, which he either owns or has sold off.

The boats are examples of excellent design. They are sleek, powerful, easily manoeuvrable, well-balanced and technologically advanced.

Roman Abramovich is only 54 years old and consistently adding to his wealth from investments and ownerships. While he narrows down to his future spectacle, let’s take a look at some of the past and present gems of his private collection of superyachts.

Roman Abramovich’s superyachts ranked by size and amenities: 

( Main and Featured images: Feadship )

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• Le Grand Bleu

Superyacht Solaris is close to completion and will be Roman Abramovich’s new craft on the waters once it is launched. Though not much is known about the boat, the Solaris was photographed during the second of its sea trials in the North Sea and attracted media attention.

SuperYacht Times reports that the Solaris is designed by Australian interior designer Marc Newson and built by Lloyd Werft, a German shipyard. It has a helipad and outdoor beach club setup at the stern (rear of a sailing craft). It also has a swimming pool.

It has two nine megawatts Azipods, which, according to SuperYacht Times , are the most powerful ever fitted on a yacht. The Solaris has eight decks, and it can reportedly accommodate a staff of 60 and 36 passengers in its 18 super luxurious cabins. It is estimated to cost US$600 million (RM2.5 billion).

Nonetheless, the Solaris , which measures around 140 metres, is not the largest yacht in Abramovich’s armada — that credit goes to Eclipse .

The superyacht Eclipse measures a massive 162.5 metres. Abramovich bought the ship in 2010 and is still in his possession. The most unique feature of the Eclipse is that it has a missile detection system, and the master suite has bulletproof windows.

Designed by Terry Disdale and made by German shipbuilder Blohm+Voss, it took about five years to build the Eclipse . It was the world’s biggest yacht till the 180-metre-long superyacht Azzam , which is owned by UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, took away the crown in 2013.

The Eclipse is a technological marvel. One of its two swimming pools can be used as a dance floor by bringing up the granite floor at deck level with the touch of a button. It can carry three helicopters at the same time — one each on its two helipads and one in the hangar below the foredeck. It has a submarine, which can dive to a depth of around 50 metres.

The giant vessel has nine decks with a range of luxurious services to opt from. The Eclipse features many amenities — including a cinema hall and a sauna — that one can expect in a superyacht. The Eclipse cost Roman Abramovich US$590 million (RM2.4 billion) at the time of purchase, and its beach house style interiors showcase the finest in Art Deco, lending it a timeless feel.

The Eclipse is powerful. It can attain a maximum speed of 21 knots and travel 6,000 nautical miles on a full tank. The yacht can house up to 36 guests in its 18 cabins and needs 70 people for operations.

It underwent a refit in 2015. Reports indicate that it is still counted among the priciest yachts of the world with a valuation ranging between US$600 million (RM2.48 billion) to US$1.5 billion (RM6.2 billion).

Before Eclipse became a prized possession of Roman Abramovich, it was this 112.8-metre luxury yacht which was the finest in his collection. Built in 2000 by now-bankrupt German shipbuilder Bremer Vulkan, it has 10 guest cabins which can house 20 guests. It has a crew of 35 supporting operations.

Abramovich bought the Le Grand Bleu from its previous owner US telecommunications baron John McCaw. The Chelsea FC owner then had it remodified, adding a pool measuring 5 metres. In 2006, the billionaire sold it to his friend, oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler, who is its current owner.

The Le Grand Bleu comes with its own fleet of smaller boats, a landing craft and two 11-metre sports boats. It was in the news in 2017 when some tourists were unable to see the Statue of Liberty because the superyacht blocked the view.

The Ecstasea was designed by De Voogt Naval Architects and built at The Feadship Royal Van Lent Shipyard in the Netherlands in 2004. According to Superyacht Times , the yacht measures 85.95 metres and has four MTU engines alongside one General Electric engine. The combined power gives the Ecstasea an incredible top speed of around 33 knots.

It has state of art rooms designed in Asian decor by Terence Disdale, and an array of luxurious amenities accentuate its plush eight cabins. The Ecstasea is designed for the stay of 15 occupants, with a supporting squad of 27 to man the boat.

It also has a helipad at the front, where the platform can be lowered and doors on either side can be closed over the helipad to turn it into a hangar.

The Ecstasea was sold by Abramovich in 2009.

The Sussurro was designed for speed. According to its maker, Feadship, the machine, which was built in 1998, has two Paxman diesels and twin TF40 gas turbines that power three water jets. The combined 15,000 HP can take the all-aluminium craft to a top speed of 46 knots — enough to ensure that the owner can reach remote diving spots quickly.

De Voogt Naval Architects and Don Shead were responsible for its exterior design. Terence Disdale did the interiors, which look like a mix of culturally infused objects he has collected during his travels to places in Africa and Asia, such as Zulu and Bali, respectively.

Lightweight to near-weightless materials have been used to make the total weight of the boat within prescribed limits to meet the speed factor. The 162.5-metre-long Sussurro can accommodate 12 guests in its six cabins. It also has five cabins for 12 supporting staff to operate the boat.

Abramovich had bought it from its original Middle-Eastern owner. According to a November 2020 report by Boat International , Sussurro is currently valued at around US$22 million (RM91 million) only.

Measuring 115 metres, Luna was built at Lloyd Werft and delivered to Roman Abramovich in 2010. While its exteriors were designed by German ship designer Newcruise, the Luna ’s tasteful interiors have been done by Donald Starkey.

Known as an “explorer yacht”, its steel hull can cut through ice floes. It has two helipads, a covered swimming pool, a beach club that goes down to the swim platform and designated areas for sunbathing.

The Luna has nine decks. It can accommodate a 50-member crew and take up to 18 guests in its nine staterooms. It has two diesel electric engines that give it a top speed of around 22 knots.

When it was delivered to Abramovich, he took it for a cruise with his family around the Kristiansand Archipelago.

Azerbaijani businessman Farkhad Akhmedov bought it from Abramovich for about US$300 million (RM1.24 billion) in 2014. Then, it underwent a refit for an estimated US$50 million (RM207 million). Today, it is at the centre of the divorce case between Akhmedov and his former wife Tatiana Akhmedova.

Currently owned by billionaire and Hong Kong property tycoon Samuel Tak Lee, Pelorus was originally commissioned for a Saudi Arabian businessman who quickly sold it to Abramovich in 2003.

Pelorus has two Wärtsilä engines and can reach a top speed of 20 knots. It can house 18 guests in nine cabins and requires around 40 people for maintenance and operations.

Measuring 115 metres in length, the Pelorus was built at the Krogerwerft shipyard of German shipbuilder Lurssen. Its exterior has been designed by Tim Heywood while Disdale’s style is evident from the interiors, which exudes a luxurious beach house vibe.

Heywood made the best use of the size of the vessel and built two helipads, two swimming pools, a lido and a transom that opens to form a sea-level platform. The master suite has a private deck that can’t be seen from any part of the Pelorus .

Abramovich had once lent the vessel to Chelsea FC players John Terry and Frank Lampard after the club’s English Premier League win. Additionally, Terry took his wife Toni on their honeymoon on the Pelorus in 2007.

In 2011, American film mogul David Geffen purchased the Pelorus for US$300 million (RM1.24 billion). Geffen then sold it the same year for US$214 million (RM888 million) to a royal family in the UAE.

Manas Sen Gupta

Manas Sen Gupta writes at the intersection of tech, entertainment and history. His works have appeared in publications such as The Statesman, Myanmar Matters, Hindustan Times and News18/ETV. In his spare time, Manas loves studying interactive charts and topographic maps. When not doing either, he prefers reading detective fiction. Spring is his favourite season and he can happily eat a bowl of noodles any time of the day.

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Sanctioned oligarch Abramovich seen at Russia-Ukraine talks

In this image taken from a video provided by the Turkish Presidency, Russian Roman Abramovich, center, listens to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the Russian and Ukrainian delegations meeting for talks in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Erdogan called for a cease-fire as the Russian and Ukrainian delegations resumed their two days of talks in Istanbul. (Turkish Presidency via AP)

In this image taken from a video provided by the Turkish Presidency, Russian Roman Abramovich, top center, 3rd from right, listens to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the Russian and Ukrainian delegations meeting for talks in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Erdogan called for a cease-fire as the Russian and Ukrainian delegations resumed their two days of talks in Istanbul. (Turkish Presidency via AP)

FILE - Chelsea soccer club owner Roman Abramovich attends the UEFA Women’s Champions League final soccer match against FC Barcelona in Gothenburg, Sweden on May 16, 2021. Sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has swapped the skybox seat he once proudly occupied at his beloved Chelsea soccer club for a place on the sidelines of negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow aimed at bringing to an end the bloody war of attrition unfolding in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

In this photo provided by Turkish Presidency, Russian Roman Abramovich, far second left, listens to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the Russian and Ukrainian delegations meeting for talks in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Erdogan called for a cease-fire as the Russian and Ukrainian delegations resumed their two days of talks in Istanbul. (Turkish Presidency via AP)

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ISTANBUL (AP) — Soccer club owner. Ally of Vladimir Putin. Sanctioned oligarch. Could diplomatic go-between be added to the resume of Roman Abramovich?

The 55-year-old billionaire has swapped the skybox seat he once proudly occupied at his beloved Chelsea soccer club in Britain for a spot on the sidelines of negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow aimed at ending Russia’s bloody war in Ukraine .

The silver-haired oil-and-aluminum tycoon stood in the background Tuesday as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan entered a hall packed with negotiators in a government building adjacent to the 19th century Ottoman palace, Dolmabahce, on the shores of the Bosporus in Istanbul.

It was left to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to try to explain Abramovich’s role.

Abramovich has been “ensuring certain contacts between the Russian and Ukrainian sides,” Peskov said, but is not an official member of the delegation. He said both sides have approved his role.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Britain, Vadym Prystaiko, said, however: “I have no idea what Mr. Abramovich is claiming or doing. He is not a part of the negotiation team.”

The talks appeared to yield a cautious step toward scaling back Moscow’s offensive when Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said Russia would “fundamentally” cut back operations near Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv and a northern city in a move to build trust.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the two sides made “the most meaningful progress” since the start of the negotiations at their meeting in Istanbul.

Just being in the room in Istanbul marks a remarkable turnaround for Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by the U.K. government and European Union, although he is conspicuous by his absence from a list of oligarchs sanctioned by the United States.

Abramovich appears to have established contacts high in Ukrainian government circles, to go alongside his long-standing links to the Kremlin.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday that Kyiv had received “signals” with offers of help from Abramovich and others, along with requests to be spared from sanctions.

“Some of them were ready to help restore Ukraine after the war,” he said, before citing their offers: “‘We are ready to give money, we are ready to relocate business to Ukraine. We are now living in England or in Switzerland, we would like to do it. Is it possible not to be on the sanctions list?’”

Abramovich’s presence in Istanbul was all the more surprising as it came a day after reports that he may have been poisoned at an earlier round of talks.

The investigative news outlet Bellingcat reported Monday that Abramovich and two Ukrainian delegates suffered symptoms of nerve agent poisoning after attending talks on March 3, but all reportedly recovered.

The British Foreign Office said in a statement Tuesday that “the allegations are very concerning.” The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has not commented on the report.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also voiced his concern, telling the 1+1 TV channel: “I advise anyone going to the negotiations with the Russian Federation not to eat or drink anything and preferably avoid touching any surfaces.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had no details on the poisoning reports, but that the reporting to that effect “raises concerns because Russia has a real track record,” a reference to past poisoning cases blamed on Moscow.

Peskov dismissed the reports as “part of the information war. These reports obviously do not correspond to reality.”

Abramovich’s press representative had no comment on the reported poisoning or on his involvement in Russia-Ukraine talks.

Abramovich amassed a fortune in Russia’s oil and aluminum industries following the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union. In 2005, Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom paid $13 billion for the Sibneft oil company controlled by Abramovich, allowing Putin’s Kremlin to recapture state influence in the lucrative energy industry.

In announcing sanctions against Abramovich, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government called him a “pro-Kremlin oligarch” with an estimated fortune of more than 9 billion pounds ($12 billion) who should be punished for his association with Putin. Abramovich also was linked with “destabilizing” and threatening Ukraine.

It was a further fall from grace for Abramovich, whose $2 billion investment in Chelsea over 19 years transformed the English Premier League team into a force in European football and earned it the nicknames “Chelski” and the “Roman Empire.”

He is being forced to sell the club after his assets were frozen as part of a crackdown on oligarchs following Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion. The Premier League also disqualified him from running the west London club and being a director. Abramovich has said proceeds of the club’s sale, which is subject to government approval, will go to a foundation he started for victims of the war in Ukraine.

He has been largely absent from Britain since 2018, when he withdrew an application to renew his visa amid a clampdown on rich Russians after a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned in the English city of Salisbury. Britain blamed Russia for the pair’s exposure to a nerve agent, an allegation Moscow denied.

He took Israeli citizenship in 2018, although it is not clear how much time he spends in the country. He has been rumored to be in Israel several times since the war erupted, according to the movements of planes purportedly belonging to him. He was seen about two weeks ago at Ben-Gurion airport.

The Solaris, a yacht belonging Abramovich, was seen docked in Turkey’s Aegean Sea resort of Bodrum earlier this month, Turkish media reports said. NATO-member Turkey has not joined other members of the alliance in sanctions on Russia. A second yacht belonging to him, the Eclipse, was seen docked at a port in the Turkish resort of Marmaris, other Turkish media said..

Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands. Associated Press writers Danica Kirka in London, Matthew Lee in Washington and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed.

Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich tried to offload his vast assets amid clampdowns on the country's oligarchs. Take a look at his luxury empire, including the 3rd-largest yacht in the world.

• Billionaire Roman Abramovich was once the richest known man in Russia.
• He was one of seven Russian oligarchs sanctioned by the UK government on March 10.
• Before being sanctioned, Abramovich scrambled to sell his assets, including his $3 billion soccer club Chelsea FC.

Roman Abramovich was once the richest known man in Russia. Bloomberg pegs his net worth at $13.5 billion, a $4.1 billion slump since the beginning of the year.

His net worth peaked in 2008 at $23.5 billion.

Ambramovich, 55, is known for his collection of superyachts, luxury cars, private planes, and homes around the world. The Wall Street Journal once nicknamed his global collection of extravagant possessions " The Roman Empire. "

The billionaire is the  largest shareholder of Evraz , one of the world's top producers of steel . He also owns stakes in the world's largest producer of refined nickel, according to Bloomberg.

Most of Abramovich's vast fortune comes from proceeds from selling Russian state-owned assets after the fall of the Soviet Union. He owned stakes in industries like airlines, oil, and aluminum .

In 2003, he sold a 26% stake of Russian airline company Aeroflot to the National Reserve Bank. In 2005, he sold his 70% stake in Russian oil company Sibneft for almost $10 billion. He also offloaded his aluminum assets for more than $2 billion.

Abramovich did not respond to Insider's request for comment for this story.

Katie Warren contributed to an earlier version of this article.

From 2003 to 2008, Abramovich was the governor of Chukotka, a remote Arctic province.

During his tenure, he spent $1.3 billion of his own money on the region.

Sibneft, the oil company of which he owned nearly 70%, was registered in the region until Abramovich sold his shares to the state-run energy company in 2015.

Abramovich has been married three times and has seven children.

His most recent marriage was to Dasha Zhukova, with whom he has two children . The couple cofounded the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow and the New Holland Island cultural center in Saint Petersburg. In 2017, the couple announced they would be separating after 10 years together.

Abramovich was previously married to Irina Malandina for 16 years. They have four daughters and one son. At the time of their 2007 split, he was worth $18.7 billion. Although Russian courts usually award a wife half of the wealth built up during a marriage, Malandina settled for $300 million  — 1.6% of Abramovich's fortune.

Little is known about Abramovich's first marriage to Olga Yurevna Lysova, except that it lasted for three years, from 1987 to 1990.

Now, with the West's sanctions on Russia's oligarchs, Abramovich has reportedly been scrambling to sell his assets.

In the aftermath of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's organization named Abramovich one of 35 Russian individuals who should be considered for sanctions, The Guardian reported.  

Abramovich bought London-based Chelsea FC in 2003 from long-time chairman Ken Bates for $233 million. Abramovich is "a keen follower of sport and international football," a statement said at the time.

In a statement in March, Abramovich announced that he would be selling the club. "This has never been about business nor money for me, but pure passion for the game and Club," Abramovich said.

He also said all the net proceeds from the sale would go to those affected by the war in Ukraine. Bloomberg reported that he is seeking a bid of 3 billion pounds ($4 billion).

Abramovich is understood to have turned down a £2.5 billion ($3.3 billion) offer in late February or early March, per SkyNews.

Abramovich was among seven Russian oligarchs who were sanctioned by the UK on March 10.

Despite the billionaire rushing to offload some of his assets — including Chelsea Football Club — the sanctions now bar him from making deals to sell the club, banning all transactions between Abramovich and UK citizens and businesses . 

Chelsea FC is the seventh-most valuable soccer club in the world, per Forbes.

It was worth about $3.2 billion in 2021, per Forbes . While the club has amassed millions of fans around the world, not all are happy with its stance on Ukraine.

Chelsea FC posted a controversial statement in February, where it failed to mention Russia or Abramovich's ownership.

"The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating. Chelsea FC's thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace," the club said in a statement on its website at the time.

However, Chelsea's financial future is now in doubt because of sanctions against Abramovich. Sanctions on him mean that the club's finances are frozen , and that Chelsea can now only spend around $26,000 per game on travel.

In 2018, Abramovich was granted Israeli citizenship and flew to Tel Aviv after facing delays in renewing his UK visa.

Upon moving to Tel Aviv, Abramovich became the richest man living in Israel. In 2020, local media reported that the billionaire had dropped $57 million on a seafront hotel in Tel Aviv.

In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, several high-profile Israelis — including the chairman of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum and a chief rabbi — urged the US not to impose sanctions on Abramovich, according to The Times of Israel.

The representatives wrote a letter to the US ambassador in February commending Abramovich's investments, philanthropy, and contributions to Israel, the outlet reported. 

The museum's chairman told the Washington Post that Abramovich was the museum's second-largest private donor.

Reports indicate Abramovich is also rushing to offload his London real estate holdings.

The billionaire has homes all over the world, including a $118.4 million home in Kensington Palace Gardens in London, an area nicknamed "Billionaires' Row," according to The Guardian .

"He's terrified of being sanctioned, which is why he's already going to sell his home tomorrow and sell another flat as well," Labour MP Chris Bryant told the UK Parliament in March, per Bloomberg .

Abramovich is also among the billionaires who own homes at Eaton Square — an exclusive garden estate in London that is nicknamed "Red Square" because of the number of Russian billionaires who own properties there. 

Abramovich has spent tens of millions of dollars on prime New York City real estate.

Abramovich paid $96 million for four townhouses on New York City's Upper East Side with plans to turn them into one megamansion. He also bought another property two blocks away.

In September 2018, Abramovich transferred four of the five properties, all in a row on East 75th Street, to his third ex-wife, Zhukova, for about $92 million as part of their divorce proceedings, the New York Post reported, citing city property records.

Abramovich reportedly owns a home in Antibes on the French Riviera.

Abramovich bought the Chateau de la Croe , a mansion that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, in 2001, per Bloomberg.

In 2018, A French court found that Abramovich had undervalued the holiday home and had not paid enough wealth tax in 2006 and 2007.

In 2009, Abramovich dropped $90 million on an estate on the Caribbean island of St. Bart's, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person close to the deal.

The 70-acre estate is replete with Balinese bungalows with ocean views, tennis courts, swimming pools, and music pavilions, per the Journal's 2009 report .

Homes aren't the only things Abramovich likes to collect: The billionaire has reportedly spent hundreds of millions of dollars on yachts on his lifetime.

Abramovich bought the superyacht Pelorus in 2004. At the time, it was the 11th-largest yacht in the world, per Yacht Harbour .

But Abramovich's second ex-wife, Malandina, got the yacht in their divorce settlement .

Before sanctions were imposed on Abramovich on March 10, a 460-foot superyacht Solaris that was linked to Abramovich   departed a Barcelona shipyard after being docked there for repairs since 2021. The $600 million vessel left Spain on March 8, and was tracked moving eastward after leaving the shipyard.

Solaris was spotted on March 12 , anchored in Montenegro. 

Abramovich later spent nearly $500 million on a superyacht called Eclipse.

At 533 feet long, Eclipse was once the world's largest yacht, though it's since been overtaken by the 590-foot Azzam , which launched in 2013, and later too by REV Ocean , a sleek, 600-foot yacht that launched in 2019.

Among Eclipse's amenities are two helicopter pads, cabins to host 36 guests and space for 70 crew, a 52-foot swimming pool — and a missile detection system.

The yacht was in a Barcelona shipyard last year for renovations, The Guardian reported in February.

However, the superyacht this week appeared to be headed in the direction of the Solaris yacht . According to data from MarineTraffic , the two superyachts could eventually meet in the Ionian sea if the Eclipse were to keep its course sailing east across the Mediterranean Sea. 

Abramovich has reportedly owned at least three other yachts in his lifetime, including Le Grand Bleu .

His car collection is nothing to scoff at either.

Abramovich reportedly has dropped more than $11 million on luxury vehicles , including the above limited edition Ferrari FXX. Only 29 were made.

Abramovich also bought a Pagani Zonda Roadster, one of only 15 ever to be made, according to The Telegraph. He has also reportedly bought  a Bugatti Veyron, a Mercedes AMG GT3, and an Aston Martin Vulcan.

Abramovich has a number of airplanes in his personal fleet, including a Boeing 767-33AER.

The customized interior of the aircraft includes a banquet hall that seats 30 people, a kitchen, an office, and a bedroom.

Abramovich previously owned a Dassault Falcon 900, which his ex-wife  Irina Malandina got in their 2007 divorce settlement, per Boss Hunting.

Meanwhile, a $65 million Gulfstream private jet linked to Abramovich was seen flying from Israel to Istanbul on March 14. Abramovich himself was spotted at a VIP lounge in Israel  before the Gulfstream jet made its journey to Turkey. 

Abramovich's personal art collection comprises works by Pablo Picasso, Lucian Freud, and Francis Bacon.

In 2008, he spent $34 million on a piece entitled "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping" by Freud.

The very next night at Sotheby's, Abramovich paid $86.3 million for Francis Bacon's "Triptych, 1976," according to The Wall Street Journal .

But Abramovich's art collection could soon be under scrutiny. Several countries are looking to freeze Russian billionaires' foreign-owned assets, which could include some of the most valuable pieces in the world, reported The Art Newspaper.

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