Editor’s note: Subsequent to publication of this story, Forbes, the original, cited source for the article, posted a correction saying it is now uncertain whether German authorities had in fact seized the Dilbar, a yacht owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.
German officials have ensured that Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov won’t be able to relax on his lavish yacht while Russian firepower pummels Ukraine, according to a new report.
Authorities this week seized his treasured $600 million, 512-foot yacht Dilbar, which was being refitted in a German shipyard, sources told Forbes. The seizure came in response to European Union sanctions against Usmanov and other oligarchs Monday over Russia’s deadly invasion of Ukraine.
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“On 28 February 2022 I became the target of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union I believe that such decision is unfair, and the reasons employed to justify the sanctions are a set of false and defamatory allegations damaging my honor, dignity, and business reputation,” Usmanov wrote in a statement Tuesday.
Usmanov was one of 26 individuals targeted by a batch of EU sanctions Monday. The sanctions froze his assets in the 27-member European bloc and banned him from traveling throughout EU territory. The yacht was seized as part of the asset freeze.
Usmanov’s yacht is one of the largest in the world, according to German builder Lurssen. Dilbar was one of the crown jewels of Usmanov’s estimated $14 billion net worth. The extravagant vessel was custom-built by Lurssen over a 52-month period and was completed in 2016. It boasts a roughly 82-foot swimming pool that the company claims is the largest of its kind on a yacht.
Usmanov’s fortune comes from an array of holdings in lucrative companies such as Russian mining firm Metalloinvest and Chinese electronics company Xiaomi.
The EU has accused Usmanov of being a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a supporter of Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
“He has been referred to as one of Vladimir Putin’s favorite oligarchs. He is considered to be one of Russia’s businessmen-officials, who were entrusted with servicing financial flows, but their positions depend on the will of the president. Mr. Usmanov has reportedly fronted for President Putin and solved his business problems,” the EU said. “He actively supported materially or financially Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilization of Ukraine.”
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Western leaders such as President Joe Biden have made targeting Russian oligarchs a top objective in order to inflict financial pain on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
In addition to losing his yacht, Usmanov has also been kicked out of his soccer deals. British soccer club Everton cut its sponsorship deals with companies backed by Usmanov in response to Russia’s invasion. Usmanov also stepped down as the president of the International Fencing Federation on Monday to help the organization avoid repercussions from Western nations over his connections to Putin.
