- 5 months ago
Putin's Secret Travels Even Shocked Donald Trump
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00:00Vladimir Putin doesn't just have a yacht, he has a fleet.
00:03One yacht has a literal garden on board, another costs $40 million,
00:07and one even boasts a 15-metre indoor pool.
00:10The luxury is so extreme, even Donald Trump, no stranger to opulence, was left speechless.
00:15Wait till you see what's inside these yachts, starting with Olympia.
00:19Built in the golden age of Putin's first presidency,
00:22when his power was consolidating and his ambitions were expanding beyond Russia's borders,
00:26the Olympia represents a vessel that would establish the template for Putin's future maritime acquisitions
00:32and serve as his most photographed floating residence during the early 2000s.
00:36The 57-metre luxury motor yacht was built in 2002 by the renowned Dutch shipyard feedship in Aalsmere, Netherlands,
00:43a facility known for creating some of the world's most exclusive vessels for heads of state, royalty and billionaires.
00:49But what makes the Olympia story particularly fascinating isn't just its impressive specifications,
00:54it's the circumstances of how Putin came to possess it.
00:58The yacht was reportedly gifted to Russian President Vladimir Putin by oligarch Roman Abramovich in 2005.
01:04During Putin's first presidential terms, the Olympia represented a bridge between these two worlds,
01:09a luxury asset that could serve both personal and political functions,
01:13allowing Putin to entertain foreign dignitaries in style while enjoying the trappings of wealth
01:17that his official salary could never provide.
01:20Described as Putin's favorite and most photographed yacht at the time,
01:23the Olympia quickly became the venue of choice for high-level political meetings and diplomatic gatherings.
01:29It was frequently used for meetings with business leaders and politicians from around the world,
01:34transforming from a luxury vessel into an unofficial diplomatic platform where deals were struck,
01:38and alliances forged far from the prying eyes of traditional government buildings.
01:43The yacht's specifications tell the story of feedship's renowned craftsmanship and attention to detail,
01:48with a length overall of 57 meters, a beam of 10 meters,
01:52and powered by two Caterpillar 3512b diesel engines producing 1,500 horsepower each for a total of 3,000 GP,
02:00the Olympia was built for both performance and luxury.
02:03These engines, chosen for their reliability and fuel efficiency,
02:06would allow the vessel to undertake extended voyages without the need for frequent refueling stops,
02:11a crucial consideration for a yacht that might need to
02:14operate in international waters for extended periods.
02:17Its maximum speed of 15.5 knots and cruising speed of 13 knots,
02:22combined with a range of 4,700 nautical miles,
02:25made it perfect for extended diplomatic voyages across international waters.
02:29This range capability meant the yacht could travel from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean without refueling,
02:35or cruise the entire length of the Black Sea multiple times,
02:38providing Putin with unprecedented mobility and privacy for his most sensitive meetings.
02:43But it's the amenities that truly showcase the level of luxury Putin expected from his floating residences,
02:49setting a standard that would only grow more extravagant with each subsequent vessel.
02:53The yacht features a key amenity in the form of a helipad for quick access,
02:57allowing helicopter landings and takeoffs,
03:00which enhances its utility for remote or secure travel.
03:03The sun deck is large and expansive with wind protection,
03:06ideal for outdoor relaxation, dining or sunbathing,
03:09featuring extensive glass elements for panoramic views and transparency.
03:13The accommodations are equally impressive,
03:15sleeping up to 10 guests in five luxurious suites,
03:18including one master suite, three double cabins and one twin cabin.
03:21Each of these suites was designed not just for comfort, but for privacy and security,
03:26with soundproofing and secure communication capabilities
03:29that would allow sensitive conversations to take place without fear of eavesdropping.
03:33The crew quarters accommodate up to 16 crew members in eight cabins,
03:37ensuring a high staff-to-guest ratio for personalized service.
03:41This generous crew allocation wasn't merely about luxury,
03:44it was about operational security.
03:46With 16 crew members, the yacht could maintain 24-hour watches,
03:49ensure multiple backup systems for critical operations,
03:53and provide the level of service expected by world leaders and high-ranking officials.
03:57The interior design is credited to Mark Hampton,
03:59blending classic elegance with modern touches,
04:02creating spaces that were both functional for diplomatic work
04:05and luxurious enough for the world's most powerful leaders.
04:08Hampton's design philosophy emphasized understated elegance
04:11over ostentatious displays of wealth,
04:13creating an environment that would be impressive without being intimidating,
04:16perfect for the delicate art of international diplomacy.
04:19What makes the Olympia particularly significant
04:21is its role as the foundation stone of what would become Putin's maritime empire.
04:26The estimated build cost in 2002 was $50 million,
04:30a substantial sum that would pale in comparison to the vessels that would follow.
04:34Olympia is ranked among the top 5% of yachts worldwide by length
04:38and is one of the 100 largest yachts globally,
04:41establishing Putin's taste for only the most exclusive and prestigious vessels.
04:45The security features of the Olympia, while not publicly detailed for obvious reasons,
04:50likely set the standard for all of Putin's subsequent yachts.
04:53As a vessel reportedly used by Vladimir Putin,
04:56Olympia likely incorporates advanced security features,
04:59including armed guards, reinforced hull sections and bulletproof glass.
05:03The Olympia's story took a dramatic turn in recent years,
05:06as international attention focused on Putin's assets,
05:09following Russia's increasingly aggressive international behavior.
05:12Despite its association with Putin, official ownership is opaque,
05:16often shielded through offshore entities,
05:18and it is flagged under the Cayman Islands.
05:20In June 2022, the US Treasury Department sanctioned Olympia
05:24as blocked property linked to Putin,
05:26identifying it as part of networks supporting his regime.
05:29The yacht remains believed to be in Russian possession,
05:32though its exact location and operational status
05:34are not publicly tracked in real time due to sanctions and privacy measures.
05:38The yacht originally launched as Leo Fun was renamed Sirius
05:43after its purchase by the Russian government,
05:45and later renamed Chaika, meaning Seagull in Russian, around 2023.
05:49This 53.9 meter expedition-style superyacht
05:53represents something entirely unique in Putin's fleet.
05:56It is the only yacht officially listed on the balance sheet
05:58of the Presidential Affairs Directorate,
06:00making it a unique state asset.
06:02Built in 2009 by Turquoise Yachts in Istanbul, Turkey,
06:06the Chaika was designed for long-range cruising
06:08with luxurious accommodations,
06:10but its expedition yacht classification
06:12hints at more ambitious purposes.
06:14What makes this vessel particularly interesting
06:16is its official status
06:17and the relative transparency around its acquisition,
06:20which stands in stark contrast to the opacity
06:23surrounding Putin's other maritime assets.
06:25The yacht was acquired by the Russian government in 2010-2011
06:29for approximately $40 million from Turquoise Yachts,
06:32marking the first time the Russian state openly acknowledged
06:35owning a luxury yacht for presidential use.
06:38The vessel serves as the official presidential yacht for Russia,
06:41primarily used by former President Dmitry Medvedev
06:44and current President Vladimir Putin.
06:46It replaced older Soviet-era yachts
06:48like the 45-meter Kavkaz, built in 1980,
06:52and has been used for hosting world leaders,
06:54diplomatic events and relaxation,
06:55including during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi on the Black Sea.
07:00The technical specifications of the Chaika
07:02reflect its expedition yacht designation,
07:05built for challenging itineraries and extended voyages
07:07that might take it far from friendly ports
07:09and reliable support services.
07:11With a length overall of 53.9 meters,
07:14a beam of 9.4 meters,
07:16and powered by two Caterpillar 3512B engines,
07:20producing 1,911 horsepower each
07:23for a total of 3,822 horsepower.
07:26The vessel was engineered for reliability and self-sufficiency.
07:29The choice of Caterpillar engines
07:31reflects a preference for proven serviceable power plants
07:34that can be maintained anywhere in the world.
07:36The vessel achieves a maximum speed of 17 knots
07:39and cruising speed of 13,
07:4014 knots with a range of 4,000.
07:435,000 nautical miles at 13 knots.
07:46This range capability is extraordinary,
07:48allowing the yacht to undertake trans-oceanic voyages
07:51without refueling,
07:52or to remain at sea for extended periods
07:54during times of international tension
07:56when friendly ports might not be available.
07:58The amenities on the Chaika showcase
08:00a perfect blend of expedition capability
08:02and presidential luxury,
08:04designed to provide the highest levels of comfort
08:06while maintaining the ruggedness necessary
08:08for challenging voyages.
08:10The sundeck features a spa pool jacuzzi,
08:12sunbeds, BBQ area,
08:14outdoor dining setup under a fabric awning
08:16seating up to 14, shaded seating,
08:19and a forward-facing sofa for private viewing.
08:21These outdoor spaces were designed
08:23with diplomatic entertaining in mind,
08:25providing venues for informal meetings
08:27where the pressure of formal negotiations
08:28could be relieved.
08:30The aft deck includes a glass-backed spa pool,
08:32fillable with salt or fresh water
08:34with hydro-massage jets and open sea views,
08:37with twin staircases leading to a bathing platform
08:39equipped with a Passa crane system
08:41for easy tender launch, boarding, and swimming access.
08:44The interior spaces are masterfully designed
08:46to accommodate both intimate gatherings
08:48and larger state functions,
08:50with flexibility built into every area.
08:52The main saloon is enlarged
08:53to approximately 100 square meters
08:55with an asymmetrical layout,
08:57featuring 10 large windows per side
08:59for panoramic views,
09:00two broad sofas, low ebony tables,
09:03and a forward media lounge
09:04with a 60-inch plasma screen and corner sofa.
09:07This open, light-filled space
09:08serves as the yacht's primary social hub,
09:10where formal meetings can seamlessly transition
09:13into relaxed conversations.
09:15The upper salon dining area
09:16features a semi-circular layout
09:18with a round table seating 12 under a skylight,
09:21L-shaped sofa, lounge chairs,
09:22and sliding doors for outdoor access.
09:24The round table configuration
09:26is particularly significant in diplomatic settings,
09:29as it eliminates hierarchy
09:30and creates an environment
09:31where all participants can interact as equals.
09:34The accommodation layout
09:35reflects the yacht's presidential function
09:37and the need to house not just guests,
09:39but also security personnel and support staff.
09:42The vessel accommodates 12 guests
09:44in six en-suite cabins,
09:45including one full-beam master on main deck,
09:48one VIP on lower deck with lounge study,
09:50three doubles and one twin.
09:52Each cabin is designed as a complete private suite,
09:55ensuring that sensitive conversations
09:56can take place without compromising security.
09:59The master suite is full-beam on main deck
10:01with five windows per side,
10:03private study with desk and leather sofa,
10:05dual dressing rooms,
10:06raised bed for forward views,
10:08and en-suite with heated marble floor,
10:10glass-walled shower and deep spa bath.
10:12This presidential suite
10:13rivals the accommodations of any world leader,
10:16combining luxury with the practical needs
10:18of someone who must work
10:19even while relaxing at sea.
10:21What sets the Chaika apart from other vessels
10:23in Putin's fleet
10:24is its official diplomatic role
10:26and the legitimacy this brings to its operations.
10:29The yacht hosted events
10:30during the 2014 Sochi Olympics,
10:32showcasing Russia's hospitality
10:33to international dignitaries.
10:35This official recognition and use for state functions
10:38gives the Chaika a legitimacy
10:39that other vessels in Putin's fleet lack,
10:42serving as a bridge between private luxury
10:44and official state representation.
10:46The security arrangements for the Chaika,
10:48while not publicly detailed due to its state-owned status,
10:51presumably include the full range
10:53of presidential security measures
10:55available to the Russian state.
10:56As a presidential asset,
10:58it presumably includes advanced measures
11:00such as armed security personnel
11:01from Russian federal services,
11:03surveillance systems including cameras
11:05and possibly anti-drone tech,
11:07secure communications for diplomatic work,
11:09and reinforced hull and emergency protocols
11:12for high-seas operations.
11:13The yacht underwent a refit in 2019,
11:16with new furnishings added post-purchase in 2011
11:19for presidential customization,
11:21ensuring that it maintains the highest standards
11:23expected of a vessel serving Russia's head of state.
11:25Annual running costs are estimated at $1.3 million,
11:29covering maintenance, crew salaries, fuel, and operations,
11:32a relatively modest expense
11:34for a state-owned presidential yacht
11:36when compared to the costs
11:37of maintaining equivalent facilities on land.
11:40Kosatka
11:41The yacht, originally named Graceful,
11:44was renamed Kosatka, Russian for killer whale,
11:46around 2022,
11:48a change that speaks volumes about Putin's mindset
11:50during one of the most turbulent periods
11:52of his presidency.
11:53This 82-meter superyacht is strongly linked
11:56to Russian President Vladimir Putin,
11:58often described as his most recent
11:59official presidential yacht,
12:01though the nature of that official status
12:03remains deliberately unclear.
12:05The ambiguity surrounding its ownership and purpose
12:07reflects the complex web of legal structures
12:09and plausible deniability
12:11that Putin has perfected over his decades in power.
12:14Built in Germany and later refitted in Russia,
12:16it exemplifies luxury and excess,
12:19with opulent interiors and advanced amenities.
12:21The timing of the yacht's movements
12:23reveals the level of advanced planning
12:25that went into Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
12:27Putin reportedly ordered its urgent departure
12:30from a Hamburg shipyard to Kaliningrad
12:32in February 2022,
12:33just 17 days before the Ukraine invasion,
12:36to prevent seizure by Western authorities.
12:38The technical specifications of the Kosatka
12:40place it firmly in the superyacht category,
12:43representing a significant step up in size
12:45and capability from Putin's earlier vessels.
12:48With a length of 82 metres and a beam
12:50of approximately 14 metres,
12:52the vessel dominates any harbour it enters,
12:54serving as a floating advertisement
12:56for Russian engineering and luxury.
12:58The vessel's construction history
12:59reveals the complex international nature
13:01of the luxury yacht industry.
13:03Even for vessels destined
13:04for the most secretive purposes,
13:06built by Blom plus Voss in Germany in 2014,
13:09and later refitted by Sevma Shipyard in Russia
13:12between 2022 to 2023,
13:14the yacht embodies the contradiction
13:16between international cooperation
13:18in luxury goods
13:19and the geopolitical tensions
13:21that ultimately drove it
13:22from Western shipyards.
13:23Powered by twin MTU diesel engines,
13:26it achieves a top speed of 18 knots
13:28and cruising speed of 14 knots
13:29with a range of over 4,000 nautical miles.
13:32These performance specifications
13:34ensure the vessel can outrun most pursuit vessels
13:36while maintaining the range necessary
13:38for extended operations in international.
13:41Waters.
13:41The amenities on the Kasatka represent
13:43the pinnacle of yacht luxury and innovation,
13:46showcasing engineering solutions
13:47that blur the line between impressive and absurd.
13:50The vessel features a transformable indoor pool,
13:53a 15-metre indoor swimming pool
13:55that hydraulically converts into a theatre stage
13:57or dance floor,
13:58complete with lighting and sound systems.
14:00Additional features include a floating pool
14:02costing about 208 million rubles,
14:04or approximately 2.3 million dollars
14:07that allows guests to bathe in the sea
14:08while protected,
14:09and a helipad for private helicopter arrivals
14:12and departures.
14:13The owner's suite includes
14:14a dedicated wine cave
14:15holding up to 400 bottles,
14:17with a new owner's cabin added
14:18during the 2022 refit.
14:20The luxury touches throughout the vessel
14:22are extraordinary
14:23in their attention to detail and cost,
14:25representing expenditures
14:26that dwarf the annual budgets
14:28of small nations.
14:29Entertainment and leisure facilities
14:31include a sauna
14:32with a modified audio zone,
14:33jacuzzi,
14:34elevators for multi-deck access,
14:36and pool towel cabinets
14:37that double as vodka bars.
14:39High-end furnishings include
14:40marble surfaces
14:41polished in refits,
14:43custom carpets costing 6 million rubles,
14:45or approximately 65,000 dollars,
14:48a backgammon set worth 500,000 rubles,
14:51or approximately 5,500 dollars,
14:53and sunbeds umbrellas.
14:55The vessel's accommodation capabilities
14:57are impressive,
14:58designed for ultimate luxury,
14:59accommodating up to 12 guests
15:01in six cabins
15:02and 14 crew in seven cabins
15:04across six decks.
15:05The layout emphasizes
15:06both privacy and entertainment,
15:08with interiors featuring
15:09opulent materials,
15:11possibly including
15:12gold-plated accents,
15:13though some of these descriptions
15:14may overlap with other vessels
15:16in Putin's fleet.
15:17The financial aspects
15:18of the Kossatka
15:19tell a story of extraordinary expenditure
15:21during wartime,
15:22when ordinary Russians
15:23faced increasing economic hardship.
15:25The estimated build cost
15:27ranges from 100,
15:28119 million dollars,
15:30with some reports
15:31up to 125 million dollars.
15:33More shocking are the refit costs,
15:3532 million dollars in 2022,
15:38covering hull painting,
15:39deck,
15:39helipad replacements,
15:40furniture repairs,
15:41and upgrades like the sauna
15:43and new cabin.
15:44Annual running costs
15:45are estimated at 5,
15:4610 million dollars,
15:47including crew,
15:48maintenance,
15:49fuel,
15:49and docking.
15:50Security measures
15:50for the Kossatka
15:51reflect its high-profile association
15:53and the current geopolitical climate,
15:55transforming it into something
15:57approaching a naval vessel.
15:58The vessel is frequently escorted
16:00by Russian Coast Guard vessels,
16:01as seen during its 2022 move
16:04to Estonia's coast.
16:05Despite U.S. sanctions
16:06in June 2022,
16:08designating it as blocked property
16:10in which Putin has an interest,
16:11it receives parts and services
16:13from companies in Estonia,
16:14Italy,
16:15Turkey,
16:15and Germany.
16:16The AIS transponder
16:17has been turned off
16:18since at least August 2022
16:20to avoid tracking,
16:21transforming the yacht
16:22into a ghost ship
16:23that appears and disappears
16:24from maritime tracking systems
16:26at will.
16:27Victoria
16:28The yacht Victoria
16:29is a 71-metre superyacht
16:31strongly associated
16:32with Russian President
16:33Vladimir Putin,
16:34despite not being officially
16:36registered in his name.
16:37Investigative reports,
16:38primarily from the dossier center,
16:40link it to Putin
16:41through financial ties,
16:42crew connections,
16:43and its operational patterns.
16:44What makes the Victoria
16:45particularly intriguing
16:47is its construction story,
16:48which reads like a tale
16:49of bureaucratic frustration,
16:51maritime ambition,
16:52and the complex realities
16:53of building luxury vessels
16:55in an increasingly
16:56interconnected world.
16:57Victoria was constructed
16:58over a protracted
16:5914-year period,
17:01starting in 2005
17:02at Russia's Sevmash shipyard
17:04in Severodvinsk,
17:05a facility primarily known
17:07for building nuclear submarines
17:08for the Russian Navy.
17:09The decision to build
17:10a luxury yacht
17:11at a nuclear submarine facility
17:13speaks to both Putin's desire
17:15for maximum security
17:16and his confidence
17:17in Russian military
17:18industrial capabilities.
17:20However,
17:20it also reveals
17:21the challenges
17:21of adapting military
17:22shipbuilding expertise
17:24to luxury yacht construction,
17:25challenges that would plague
17:26the project for over a decade.
17:28Construction paused in 2008,
17:30resumed in late 2013,
17:32and involved transfers
17:33to other yards,
17:34briefly to ISA yachts
17:36in Italy,
17:36which did not proceed,
17:37and finally to AES yachts
17:39in Turkey,
17:40where it was completed
17:40in 2018 to 2019.
17:43Delays reportedly frustrated
17:44its backers,
17:45leading to the commissioning
17:46of a larger yacht,
17:47the 140-meter Scheherazade,
17:49as a replacement.
17:50The Victoria's specifications,
17:52while more modest
17:53than some of Putin's
17:54other vessels,
17:54still place it firmly
17:55in the luxury superyacht category
17:57with capabilities
17:58that extend far beyond
17:59mere recreation.
18:01The 71-meter vessel
18:02is valued at over $50 million
18:04and can accommodate
18:05up to 28 guests and crew.
18:07This capacity suggests
18:08the yacht was designed
18:09for extended voyages
18:10with large entourages
18:11or for hosting
18:12significant gatherings
18:13far from prying eyes.
18:15It features two master cabins,
18:16with one containing
18:17a giant circular bed
18:18under a mirrored ceiling,
18:20suggesting the vessel
18:21was designed for separate use
18:22by different high-profile individuals.
18:25The yacht's home base
18:25and operational patterns
18:27provide crucial evidence
18:28of its connection to Putin
18:29and reveal the sophisticated
18:30logistics required
18:32to maintain his maritime empire.
18:34Victoria is based
18:35in Sochi, Russia, Black Sea,
18:37and the yacht shares design
18:38and operational similarities
18:39with other Putin-linked vessels.
18:41Sochi serves
18:42as Putin's primary maritime base,
18:44offering security,
18:45discretion, and proximity
18:46to his extensive
18:47land-based properties
18:48in the region.
18:49It frequently visits
18:50Cape Idokopos,
18:52the site of Putin's
18:53$1 billion palace,
18:54and Crimea,
18:55with its movements
18:56often aligning
18:56with Putin's schedule.
18:58The vessel's amenities
18:59reflect the tastes
19:00of Russia's elite
19:01and the specific requirements
19:02of hosting high-level gatherings
19:04in complete privacy.
19:05The interior is described
19:06as lavish and gaudy,
19:08with a focus on opulent,
19:09minimalist,
19:10yet extravagant,
19:11design elements.
19:12Key amenities include
19:13two primary cabins,
19:14one featuring
19:15a massive circular bed
19:16elevated on a stage
19:17beneath a mirrored ceiling,
19:18with wooden flooring
19:19and high rounded ceilings.
19:21The luxury details
19:22throughout the vessel
19:23are extraordinary
19:24in their cost and specificity,
19:26revealing a mindset
19:26where money is no object
19:28and every detail
19:29must be perfect.
19:30High-value games
19:31include a chess set
19:32worth $1,600
19:33and backgammon set
19:35worth $3,600.
19:37Custom beach towels
19:38cost $2,000 for a set,
19:40napkin rings cost $850
19:42for four,
19:43and other bespoke furnishings
19:44emphasize gold accents
19:46and mirrors,
19:46similar to Putin's
19:47larger yachts.
19:48Security considerations
19:50for the Victoria
19:51are extensive,
19:52reflecting both
19:52its military origins
19:53and high-profile associations.
19:56The crew includes
19:56individuals linked
19:57to Russia's
19:58Federal Protective Service
19:59FSO,
20:00which guards top officials
20:01and intelligence services.
20:03The AIS,
20:04Automatic Identification System,
20:06is often turned off
20:06during sensitive movements.
20:08It uses escorts
20:09like Orion
20:10for added protection
20:11and docks
20:12at secure locations
20:13near Putin's properties.
20:14These operational security measures
20:16transform routine yacht operations
20:17into something resembling
20:19naval maneuvers.
20:20Constructed at a nuclear submarine yard,
20:22it may incorporate
20:23reinforced hulls
20:24or discrete communication systems,
20:26though unconfirmed.
20:27Recent tracking data
20:28reveals the yacht's
20:29continued operation
20:30despite international sanctions
20:32and the increased scrutiny
20:33following its public exposure.
20:35On July 6, 2025,
20:37it transited the Bosphorus Strait
20:39from Sochi, Black Sea
20:40to Pendik, East Istanbul, Turkey,
20:42likely for maintenance.
20:44On July 19, 2025,
20:46it returned to the Black Sea
20:47heading toward Adler
20:48near Sochi.
20:49As of late July 2025,
20:51reports indicated
20:52it was departing Adler
20:53toward the Bosphorus
20:54with an AIS destination
20:55of Croatia,
20:56but experts speculated
20:57a detour to Turkey.
21:00Scheherazade
21:00The motor yacht.
21:03Scheherazade
21:03is a luxurious superyacht
21:05often described
21:05as one of the world's
21:06largest and most opulent vessels.
21:08Launched in 2020,
21:10it has garnered
21:11significant attention
21:12due to its alleged ties
21:13to Russian President
21:14Vladimir Putin,
21:15leading to its seizure
21:16by Italian authorities
21:18in 2022
21:19amid sanctions
21:20related to Russia's
21:21invasion of Ukraine.
21:22The yacht was built
21:23by the German shipyard
21:24Lursen
21:25at their Vegsac facility
21:26and delivered in 2020.
21:28Lursen represents
21:29the absolute pinnacle
21:30of luxury yacht construction,
21:32a company whose client list
21:33reads like a who's who
21:34of global wealth and power.
21:36The specifications alone
21:37place it among
21:38the most impressive vessels
21:39ever constructed,
21:40representing engineering
21:41achievements that push
21:42the boundaries of what's
21:43possible in yacht design.
21:44With a length of 140 meters,
21:47beam of approximately 23 meters,
21:49gross tonnage of around
21:5010,167 tons,
21:53and estimated construction
21:54cost of $700 million,
21:56the Scheherazade represents
21:57the pinnacle of superyacht
21:59engineering and luxury.
22:00These dimensions place it
22:02among the largest private yachts
22:03ever built,
22:04a floating city designed
22:05for the exclusive use
22:06of one man
22:07and his inner circle.
22:08The amenities aboard
22:09the Scheherazade
22:10are read like a catalogue
22:11of the world's
22:12most extravagant luxuries,
22:13each one representing
22:14a level of excess
22:15that borders on the surreal.
22:17The vessel features
22:18two helipads
22:18for easy access,
22:20allowing for quick
22:20arrivals and departures.
22:22A large pool
22:23with a retractable cover
22:24transforms into a dance floor,
22:26ideal for parties.
22:27This engineering marvel
22:28represents the intersection
22:29of luxury and technology,
22:31where the boundaries
22:32between different types of spaces
22:33become fluid and adaptable
22:35to the needs of the moment.
22:36Additional facilities
22:37include a fully equipped
22:38fitness centre,
22:39spa complex,
22:41sauna,
22:41beauty salon,
22:42movie theatre,
22:43yacht club area
22:44and potentially a disco set-up.
22:46The interiors feature
22:47gold-plated bathroom fixtures,
22:49high-end materials throughout
22:50and spacious living areas
22:52across six decks.
22:53Guest accommodations
22:54include 22 cabins,
22:56including luxurious suites
22:57with private amenities.
22:58This accommodation capacity
23:00rivals that of luxury.
23:01Hotels,
23:02suggesting that the yacht
23:03was designed to host
23:04large gatherings of VIPs
23:06for extended periods.
23:07Other luxuries include
23:08wine cellar,
23:09landscaped garden areas
23:10and advanced audiovisual systems.
23:13The evidence linking
23:14the Scheherazade to Putin
23:15is circumstantial
23:16but compelling,
23:17representing one of the most
23:18thorough investigations
23:19into the hidden assets
23:21of a world leader
23:22ever conducted.
23:23Officially owned
23:23by Bielor Assets Limited,
23:25a company in the Marshall Islands
23:27with management handled
23:28from the Cayman Islands,
23:29Italian investigations
23:31identified Eduard Kudinatov,
23:33a sanctioned former
23:34Rosneft CEO
23:35and Russian billionaire,
23:36as the registered owner.
23:37However,
23:38multiple sources claim
23:39he is a straw owner,
23:40concealing the true beneficiary.
23:42Vladimir Putin.
23:43Anti-corruption activist
23:44Alexei Navalny's team
23:46released a 2022 investigation
23:48revealing that much of the crew
23:49works for the FSO
23:50and is linked to Putin's
23:52other properties,
23:53like his Black Sea Palace.
23:54Crew lists showed Russian nationals
23:56from Putin's security detail,
23:57and US authorities also believe
23:59it's Putin's per-court documents.
24:01The yacht has docked in Sochi
24:03multiple times,
24:04aligning with Putin's schedule.
24:06This operational pattern
24:07provides crucial
24:08circumstantial evidence
24:09linking the yacht to Putin,
24:10as the correlation
24:11between the vessel's movements
24:13and Putin's known activities
24:14is too consistent
24:15to be coincidental.
24:17The security measures
24:18aboard the Scheherazade
24:19are exceptionally stringent,
24:20transforming what might appear
24:22to be a luxury yacht
24:23into something approaching
24:24a floating fortress.
24:25During boss-on periods,
24:27when the primary owner is aboard,
24:29the crew is reportedly all Russian,
24:30including members
24:31from Russia's
24:32Federal Protective Service,
24:34FSO,
24:34which handles Putin's
24:35personal security.
24:37This security protocol
24:38represents the highest level
24:39of protection available
24:41to the Russian state.
24:42Otherwise,
24:42it uses an international crew
24:44with strict non-disclosure agreements
24:46for all staff and contractors.
24:48These NDAs represent
24:49legal barriers
24:50designed to prevent information
24:51about the yacht's operations
24:52from reaching the public
24:54or law enforcement authorities.
24:56The yacht's nameplate
24:56is often covered,
24:57and metallic barriers
24:58were erected at docks
24:59to obscure views.
25:01These physical security measures
25:02demonstrate the extraordinary lengths
25:04taken to maintain
25:05the yacht's operational secrecy.
25:07Multiple satellite domes
25:08for communications
25:09and reports of drone usage
25:10to monitor surroundings,
25:12as seen when crew chased journalists
25:14in 2024,
25:15demonstrate the extraordinary lengths
25:17taken to maintain security
25:18and privacy.
25:19The use of drones
25:20to monitor
25:20and potentially harass journalists
25:22represents an escalation
25:24in the yacht's security posture
25:25that borders on the militant.
25:27On May 6, 2022,
25:29Italian police impounded the yacht
25:31in Marina di Carrara
25:32as part of EU sanctions
25:33against Russia.
25:34This action represented
25:35one of the largest
25:36single-asset seizures
25:37in the sanctions regime
25:39against Russia.
25:39The action followed calls
25:41from Ukrainian President
25:42Volodymyr Zelensky
25:43and Navalny's team.
25:44The involvement
25:45of both Ukrainian officials
25:46and Russian opposition activists
25:48in calling for the seizure
25:49demonstrates
25:50the broad international coalition
25:52supporting efforts
25:53to pressure Putin
25:54through his assets.
25:55The yacht had been undergoing repairs
25:57since September 2021
25:58and activities suggested
26:00it might flee.
26:01The timing of the seizure,
26:02just as the yacht
26:03was preparing to depart,
26:04suggests that Italian authorities
26:06were monitoring
26:06the situation closely
26:08and acted at the optimal moment
26:09to prevent the asset
26:10from escaping their jurisdiction.
26:12Remarkably,
26:13even while detained,
26:14the Scheherazade continues
26:15to receive extraordinary maintenance,
26:18revealing the ongoing flow
26:19of resources
26:19to maintain Putin's assets
26:21despite international sanctions.
26:23Italy has allowed its owner
26:24to maintain and refit the vessel,
26:26with tens of millions
26:27spent on upgrades,
26:28including a two-meter stern extension
26:30costing six,
26:31ten million dollars,
26:32along with other modifications
26:34like canvas barriers
26:35for privacy during work.
26:36Total refit costs
26:38are speculated
26:38to be in the tens of millions,
26:40highlighting the continued flow
26:41of money
26:42to maintain this symbol
26:43of Russian elite excess.
26:45The Scheherazade's current status,
26:46as of August 2025,
26:47remains one of the most
26:49closely watched aspects
26:50of the international sanctions regime
26:52against Russia.
26:53The yacht continues to sit
26:54in Italian custody,
26:55and its fate will likely serve
26:57as a precedent
26:57for how similar assets
26:59are handled
26:59in future international disputes.
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