Despite sanctions, Putin’s nephew bought a yacht in France for almost $8 million
12.06.2024 - 16:50
The nephew of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, bought a sailing yacht in France despite the sanctions on the import of such vessels to Russia.
A company associated with Putin’s nephew Mikhail Shelomov has purchased the Immortal Dreamer sailing yacht in France, writes The Insider.
According to the publication, the sailboat was purchased by “Mercury” LLC. Journalists studied the list of formal owners, managers and employees of the firm and found out that many of them are also employed by Akcept LLC, owned by Shelomov. He is the son of Putin’s cousin. The Insider notes that Shelomov has more than $1 billion in assets.
The price of the yacht was more than 7.8 million dollars. The ship was launched at the beginning of 2023, and in August it was driven to Russia in transit through Turkey. According to the publication, the intermediary was the company Burevestnik Group, which is owned by Andriy Boyko, known as a yacht importer close to the Kremlin.
The yacht has four cabins for 18 passengers and was built at the French shipyard Construction Navale Bordeaux. The chief designer and designer Patrick le Keman worked on the Lagoon Seventy 7 model.
Shelomov himself and members of his family are not under sanctions, but the import of luxury yachts to Russia is prohibited.
Last year, sales of new superyachts — vessels over 30 meters long — fell by 17%. The reason was rising prices, long waiting lists and sanctions against Russian oligarchs, introduced because of the war in Ukraine.
A total of 203 superyachts were sold — 42 fewer than a year earlier. And compared to the record year of 2021, when 313 such vessels were sold, the reduction was 35%.
Previously, USM reported that the arrested yacht “Putin’s best friend” and collaborator Viktor Medvedchuk “Royal Romance” acquired the status of a Ukrainian vessel.
