The Graceful yacht, which has been linked to Vladimir Putin, has arrived at the port of Severomorsk near Murmansk. Danish broadcaster DR reported this, citing satellite images.
According to the journalists, images dated July 5 show the yacht itself as well as the military vessel Voevoda, which was escorting it. DR said the warship was moving with its transponder switched off, but briefly turned it on about 70 kilometers from Severomorsk.
What happened before the transfer
In late June, Graceful and the ships accompanying it were spotted off the coast of Denmark. At that time, the convoy transmitted a message claiming it was heading for Istanbul. DR reported that the vessels then traveled along the Norwegian coast before entering Russian waters.
Experts interviewed by DR believe the yacht may have been sent north to protect it from Ukrainian drone attacks. One source did not rule out another explanation, saying the vessel might have needed repairs. Even so, he described the drone threat as the most likely reason.
What is known about the vessel
The 82-meter Graceful is considered the second-largest yacht used by Putin. It had previously been spotted several times in Sochi when the Russian president was there. By various estimates, the yacht is worth more than $100 million.
After the start of the war, the United States placed the yacht under sanctions because of its connection to the Russian leader. U.S. authorities also said that Putin had taken “many trips” on Graceful and another sanctioned yacht, Olympia, including a voyage on the Black Sea in 2021, when Aleksandr Lukashenko joined him.