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Vladimir Putin’s yacht Sleek left Hamburg earlier than ending repairs, German media reported.
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It’s speculated Sleek made an abrupt exit to keep away from Western sanctions if Russia invaded Ukraine.
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The luxurious superyacht is claimed to be price at the least $100 million.
A yacht named Sleek and stated to belong to Russian President Vladimir Putin left port in Hamburg abruptly earlier than ending repairs, in accordance with experiences from German media.
It’s unclear what prompted the transfer, however the $100 million yacht’s relocation from German waters to Kaliningrad, a part of Russian territory, got here amid fears the West would impose sanctions if Russia invaded Ukraine.
Whereas Moscow has repeatedly denied any plans to invade its neighbor, it has gathered over 100,000 troops at positions throughout Ukraine and has even despatched six assault ships into the Black Sea, shifting extra fight energy towards the previous Soviet territory.
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The US and UK have warned of sanctions on Russian elites, and President Joe Biden has threatened to sanction Putin personally ought to Russia determine to assault Ukraine. He has additionally deployed troops to Jap Europe to help NATO members and has put hundreds of US troops on “heightened alert” as tensions rise.
Some have speculated that sanctions may goal sure luxurious property. Sleek was noticed on a public maritime-traffic-tracking website crusing for Kaliningrad.
Sleek arrived final yr in Hamburg, the place the superyacht has been receiving a number of modifications, together with two ahead balconies and an extension to the swimming platform, Boat Worldwide reported.
It was constructed by the German shipbuilding firm Blohm and Voss and formally launched in 2014. Designed by H2 Yacht Design, Sleek is classed as a tri-deck superyacht, in accordance with Boat Worldwide.
The luxurious yacht is 270 toes lengthy and geared up with a gymnasium, a saloon that includes a white Steinway piano, a spa, a library, and a 49-foot indoor pool that may be transformed right into a dance ground. The vessel is supposed to accommodate as much as 12 visitors and 14 crew.
Jonny Horsfield, H2’s founder, advised Boat Worldwide in 2015 that Sleek was meant to be a timeless yacht.
“The proprietor is a really assured particular person,” Horsfield advised the outlet with out mentioning Putin immediately. “He is aware of what he likes and he isn’t a slave to developments.”
The Russian president’s internet price is unknown, but it surely has been speculated that Putin is price as a lot as $200 billion, if no more, Fortune beforehand reported. Paperwork leaked final yr prompt that Putin had secret property overseas.
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