A few miles from the EU: Two superyachts owned by Russians subject to sanctions were spotted in Marmaris
23 July 23:23
Two superyachts linked to Russian billionaires Viktor Rashnikov and Andrei Guryev entered the bay of Marmaris, Turkey, almost simultaneously. This was reported by Oleg Belinsky, according to
According to him, the first to enter the bay was the 140-meter Ocean Victory, which is linked to Viktor Rashnikov, the owner of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works. The businessman is subject to sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and a number of other countries.
Belinsky notes that the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works is one of the key suppliers of special grades of steel to the Russian military-industrial complex. The plant’s products are used to manufacture armor for tanks, armored personnel carriers, warships, and other military equipment, and following the destruction of Ukrainian steel mills in Mariupol, the company’s position has only strengthened.
Also, in 2022, Vladimir Putin awarded Rashnikov the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland,” First Class.
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Shortly thereafter, the 107-meter-long Luminosity, which is linked to PhosAgro founder Andrei Guryev, arrived in Marmaris. The businessman himself and his son are also subject to sanctions imposed by the U.S., the EU, and the UK.
“When two superyachts linked to two different sanctioned Russian billionaires enter the same bay within a short period of time, it’s no longer a coincidence. This is a clear demonstration that the Turkish coast remains one of the main bases for the Russian yacht fleet since the start of the full-scale war,” the author emphasized.
According to Belinsky, during their voyages, such yachts regularly turn off their AIS transponders, causing them to disappear from civilian vessel monitoring systems.
The expert asserts that since the start of the full-scale invasion, Turkey has effectively become the main safe haven for the superyachts of Russian oligarchs subject to Western sanctions. At various times, yachts linked to Roman Abramovich, Oleg Deripaska, Andriy Melnichenko, Vahit Alekperov, Viktor Rashnikov, and other Russian billionaires have been spotted at various times in Marmaris, Bodrum, Geçek, and other Turkish marinas.
In addition, Belinsky also noted that the Turkish coast is located a few nautical miles from the Greek islands, which are part of the European Union. In his view, this is precisely why yachts subject to sanctions avoid entering the jurisdiction of countries that can enforce sanctions.
Although Turkey is a NATO member, supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and does not recognize the occupation of Crimea, Russian superyachts subject to sanctions have been using Turkish ports for years, receiving maintenance, repairs, and refueling, Belinsky notes.
“A perfectly logical question arises. If the owners of these yachts are subject to sanctions by the U.S., the European Union, and the United Kingdom, and if they are part of Putin’s inner economic circle, and if their companies are working for the Russian military-industrial complex, then why has a NATO country been quietly allowing them to use its ports for over four years?” he wrote.
In conclusion, Belinsky expressed the view that sanctions regarding such cases might need to be considered “at the NATO level.”
As reported by
The package also includes sweeping restrictions and bans on transactions involving the Russian financial sector, new measures against cryptocurrencies, additional additions to the sanctions list of “shadow fleet” vessels and those facilitating their activities, as well as new trade restrictions designed to further limit the capabilities of the Russian military-industrial complex.
In addition, the package provides for the preparation of necessary measures to restrict the issuance of visas to former Russian participants in the war against Ukraine.
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