Vladimir Putin's superyacht Graceful, a 267-foot floating palace linked to his partner Alina Kabaeva, is set to sail past Britain with a Russian naval destroyer escort. The vessel, also known in Russia as Kosatka or Killer Whale, is traveling from the Skagerrak into the North Sea and ultimately to the Mediterranean, accompanied by the Russian warship Severomorsk and the rescue vessel Voevoda.
Superyacht's Route and Escort
The convoy is heading for Istanbul and is anticipated to pass the coast of Britain, likely via the English Channel, though some Russian vessels have taken the longer route around the British Isles. Danish and German maritime authorities are closely monitoring the unusual convoy as it moves through the Baltic Sea. The escort is intended to prevent Western nations from boarding and seizing the superyacht.
Graceful had been hidden from tracking systems for three years during Putin's war against Ukraine. After Danish media detected it via transponder signals, the vessel deactivated its AIS system to minimize visibility. This is believed to be the first time the yacht has activated its transponder since 2022.
Links to Putin and Kabaeva
The superyacht is a favorite of Putin's partner, Olympic gold-winning rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 43, who is the mother of his two underage sons, Ivan, 11, and Vladimir, 7. The vessel is crewed by FSO presidential security officers, according to investigators, and has never been officially declared as Putin's yacht in Russia. Its construction involved offshore companies allegedly tied to Putin's network. In May 2021, Putin hosted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko aboard Graceful during a Black Sea voyage.
Another Putin Yacht Departs Black Sea
Another elite Putin yacht, the 233-foot Victoria, worth $45 million, departed the Black Sea this week, traveling through the Bosphorus and heading towards the Turkish resort Bodrum. It features two master cabins, potentially for Putin and Kabaeva, with a round bed and ceiling mirror. The Victoria is also understood to have a television system with a children's channel package.
Sanctions and Seizure Risks
The Graceful is sanctioned by the U.S. but not by Britain or the EU. In 2021, it was sent to Hamburg for repairs, but in early February 2022, as the conflict loomed, it was hastily moved to the Russian Baltic port of Kaliningrad, according to the team of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The accompanying warship Severomorsk is a Udaloy-class guided-missile destroyer, while Voevoda is a special dual-purpose ship that can serve as a yacht for high-ranking individuals, providing security, logistics, and support.
Possible Destination and Context
One possibility is that the superyacht is bound for Turkey to serve as a holiday retreat for Putin's family, enabling them to escape continuous Ukrainian strikes and severe fuel shortages affecting Russians. Putin and Kabaeva's children are educated by governesses and tutors from NATO countries, including Britain.
