ARMA Begins International Sale of Medvedchuk’s Yacht, the Royal Romance
The Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) has entered the final phase of preparations for the sale of the 92-meter yacht Royal Romance, which belonged to Viktor Medvedchuk, a former member of parliament suspected of treason. This will be the first instance of an asset seized abroad being sold for the benefit of Ukraine’s state budget.
This was reported by the Agency for Asset Recovery and Management.
ARMA reports that all legal obstacles that had blocked the process in Croatia for years have been overcome. The Office of the Prosecutor General has completed the pre-trial investigation and submitted the indictment to the court, which allowed the mechanism for the international sale of the property to be initiated.
“The Royal Romance yacht, which is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Croatia, has been transferred to ARMA’s management for the purpose of its subsequent sale, based on the ruling of the investigating judge,” the agency reports. The yacht is also currently being appraised, the sales model is being determined, and a transparent sale procedure is being prepared through public mechanisms.
“The Royal Romance case is at the stage of practical implementation of a clear roadmap—from the recognition of the Ukrainian court’s decision to the sale of the asset and the transfer of funds to state accounts, followed by their distribution among jurisdictions,” ARMA emphasized.
The agency also noted that the case is facing intense resistance from parties linked to Medvedchuk. “In particular, this includes attempts to drag out the proceedings and use all possible legal tools to block the case’s progress,” ARMA added.
The yacht Royal Romance changed its registration to Ukrainian in 2024 and raised the blue-and-yellow flag, which allows for its legal sale. The vessel is designed for 14 guests and 22 crew members, and its estimated value is approximately 200 million euros.
At the same time, ARMA launched an international operation targeting another yacht—the Amore Mio—linked to Medvedchuk’s inner circle. Interpol, Europol, the International Maritime Organization, and the competent authorities of several countries are involved in the monitoring. “Even in situations where an asset is effectively hidden, international cooperation allows for the development of effective mechanisms to track it down and return it to the legal framework,” the agency notes.
This case sets a precedent for Ukraine and demonstrates the effectiveness of international cooperation in returning seized assets to the state.
The yacht of Putin’s godfather, Viktor Medvedchuk, the Royal Romance, is now under Croatian control at a naval base. Due to the expiration of the seizure period, it cannot be sold immediately, and Ukraine continues to work on the asset management procedure.
The ARMA Enforcement Service has identified another yacht belonging to Putin’s godfather, Viktor Medvedchuk, which has already been added to the Interpol database, according to the agency’s acting head, Maksymenko.
