The UK has seized a £38m Russian-owned super yacht in Canary Wharf, transport secretary Grant Shapps said today.
Named Phi, the yacht belonged to a Russian businessman but its ownership was “deliberately well hidden”, as the vessel was built in the Netherlands and carried a Maltese flag while the company owning it is based in St Kitts and Nevis.
“Today we’ve detained a £38m super yacht and turned an icon of Russia’s power and wealth into a clear and stark warning to Putin and his cronies,” said Shapps in a statement.
“Detaining the Phi proves, yet again, that we can and will take the strongest possible action against those seeking to benefit from Russian connections.”
As part of the UK Government’s crackdown on Putin’s allies, the Department for Transport detained last week two private jets belonging to oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler, City A.M. reported.
“Putin’s friends who made millions out of his regime will not enjoy luxuries whilst innocent people die,” the secretary tweeted on Saturday, after announcing the two planes, impounded at Farnborough and Biggin Hill airports, would be “detained indefinitely.”
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