Russian oligarchs and officials buy expensive yachts despite sanctions

After the start of the war in Ukraine and the introduction of Western sanctions, Russian businessmen and officials continue to buy luxury yachts.

This is reported by Russian propaganda media.

In 2023, companies controlled by billionaires Andriy Bokarev and Iskander Makhmudov purchased the yacht Foton in Italy for nearly $11 million and transported it to Russia. A network of nominal owners, including an employee of Detsky Mir and driver Dmytro Yemelyanov, was used to register the ownership.

These oligarchs' companies continue to cooperate with the defence industry, in particular Kolomenski Plant, which manufactures diesel engines for military ships, and UMMC, which supplies metals for defence purposes.

Despite the EU ban on the supply of luxury goods from March 2022, yachts continue to arrive in Russia. In 2024, individuals associated with former President Dmitry Medvedev imported the Hurry Up yacht for $4.3 million. In 2023, former Ukrainian MP and Putin's godfather Viktor Medvedchuk received a $10 million Pershing 9X speedboat. Also, in 2023–2025, Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako and businessman Vladislav Klyushin received their yachts.

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In Zaporizhia, officials invited the wives of deceased soldiers to the operetta ‘The Merry Widow.’