From private jets to super yachts: Russian oligarch assets are being seized across the world
Published on Mar 14, 2022 at 2:39 PM (UTC+4)
by Thiemo Albers-Daly
Last updated on May 18, 2022 at 4:43 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A private jet with suspected links to Russian oligarch Eugene Shvidler has been impounded at an airport in Hampshire, UK.
The aircraft – a Bombardier Global 6500 – is worth a reported $44 million to $56 million.
The private jet was detained after arriving at Farnborough airport from New Jersey, U.S on March 4 and before it was due to fly to Dubai on Tuesday, March 8.
It was detained on orders from UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps thanks to new powers given to UK aviation authorities.
Under the new measures announced late Tuesday, Shapps granted Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority the power to “detain” aircraft suspected of having links to Russia.
It comes after UK closed its airspace to Russian-owned private aircraft.
Meanwhile in Italy…
Italian police have seized a superyacht owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko.
The yacht was detained a few days after the businessman was placed on an EU sanctions list following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to the Italian government, the 143-metre Sailing Yacht was seized at the northern port of Trieste.
The yacht is reportedly worth $578 million.
In the last couple of weeks, Italian police have also seized villas and yachts worth more than $763.63 million from high-profile Russians who have been placed on the EU sanctions list.
Formula 1 is getting in on the action too
It’s not just governments that are taking action.
Last week, American F1 team Haas cut ties with its Russian driver, Nikita Mazepin.
The decision came after the team ended business with Mazepin’s father’s company Uralkali the previous week.
Mazepin has since been replaced with former Haas and McLaren driver Kevin Magnussen.
Thiemo Albers-Daly
Thiemo is a motorsports writer and podcast producer for ‘On the Kerbs’. A film connoisseur, he can easily give a two hour long dissertation on why Skyfall is the best Bond film. Like ever.
