UK authorities have seized yet another mega-yacht owned by a known Russian oligarch. Authorities impounded the $75 million yacht called the Axioma, owned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Pumpyansky, in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.
Pumpyansky is the owner and chairman of OAO TMK, a steel manufacturer that supplies state-owned energy company Gazprom. The billionaire was added to the UK and EU's sanction list earlier this month as part of retaliatory measures against Russia over its unprovoked attack in Ukraine.
The UK's transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said the seizure shows that the sanctions against those supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin's war apply in the UK and in its overseas territories. He added that his office is also working tirelessly to cripple Russia's aviation and shipping capabilities.
The news came after two of Roman Abramovich's superyachts were sighted anchored in Turkish ports after cruising to new destinations following the expansion of sanctions. Several Russian oligarchs' yachts have made hurriedly scheduled unplanned sailings to evade confiscation by states implementing sanctions imposed in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Turkey has yet to join the economic sanctions imposed by the West on Russia.
Abramovich's yacht called the Eclipse, which is about 163 meters in length and is the largest in the Abramovich-linked fleet, landed in Marmaris on Tuesday morning. According to data from the website Marine Traffic, it passed through EU waters south of the Greek island of Crete on its way there.
The Eclipse, which bears a Bermuda flag, had set sail east from St Maarten in the Caribbean, heading for international seas just after other oligarchs' yachts were confiscated. The yacht is the most expensive vessel owned by individuals on the growing U.S., EU, and UK sanction lists. It boasts nine decks, two helipads, and a 16-meter swimming pool that can be converted to a dancefloor.
Abramovich also has another mega-yacht called the Solaris, estimated to be worth more than $600 million. It was last spotted docked at a Turkish port on Monday.
Abramovich was added to the UK and EU's list of sanctioned people earlier this month. Apart from his yachts, Abramovich and his family have acquired a UK property collection worth more than $250 million, consisting of roughly 70 residences, structures, and pieces of land. Authorities have been actively tracking Abramovich's other assets, including his private jets. The oligarch's Gulfstream private jet reportedly flew from Tel Aviv to Istanbul, and he was spotted at the VIP lounge at an airport in Tel Aviv prior to departure.
