A $455 million superyacht allegedly linked to Russian oligarch Dmitry Kamenshchik remains at anchor in the Dominican Republic after the United States government opened an investigation into the country in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine ship had requested.
The Flying Fox was banned from sailing from the Caribbean island after arriving there from St. Barts on March 21.
The luxurious ship docked in the resort town of La Roma to refuel and replenish food supplies. It took off before being stopped in Santo Domingo and forced to dock at Don Diego Port.
Agents from the US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) visited the yacht last Friday as part of their investigation and were accompanied by officials from the State Department, the Directorate General of Customs and the Attorney General’s Office.
has reached out to HSI for comment.
The Flying Fox, a $455 million yacht reportedly linked to Russian billionaire Dmitry Kamenshchik, owner of Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, is currently at anchor in the Dominican Republic after the United States government issued a petition to investigate possible links to President Vladimir Putin in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Homero Figueroa, spokesman for Dominican President Luis Abinader, said Tuesday that the Attorney General’s office has the results of an investigation into the Flying Fox superyacht, which is moored in Santo Domingo, while US and Dominican officials investigate whether it is linked to the Russian oligarch Dmitri is connected to Kamenschik
The Flying Fox has 57 crew members but no passengers, according to Dominican Republic authorities
Russian billionaire Dmitry Kamenshchik has not been sanctioned by Britain, the European Union and the United States. He is the owner of Domodedovo Airport, one of the largest airports in Russia
Homero Figueroa, spokesman for Dominican President Luis Abinader, appeared on Color Vision’s Today morning show and announced that the Attorney General’s office had the results of his investigation.
“If something is found that violates the law in the Dominican Republic, we will act under the law. If nothing irregular happens, the yacht will be released,” said Figueroa.
Figueroa added that while there has been joint collaboration with their US counterparts, each agency has a “different goal.”
A helicopter on the deck of the luxury Flying Fox yacht, which has been docked in the Dominican Republic since March 21
US Department of Homeland Security (HSI) agents visited the Flying Fox yacht last Friday
“Dominican institutions act in the area that the regulations allow and the investigation conducted by the Dominicans has a completely different objective than the (US) institution that was present in the Dominican Republic,” added Figueroa. “We refer to the possible findings that the Dominican institution (customs) could find in the raid on the yacht.”
Kamenshchik’s 466-foot yacht has 57 crew members but no passengers, according to Dominican authorities.
Said to be the world’s largest yacht available for charter — it’s hosted Jay-Z and Beyonce — according to Boat International, the Flying Fox stands 104 feet above the waterline.
The yacht features a pool, spa, gym and 11 cabins.
Said to be the world’s largest yacht available for charter — it’s hosted Jay-Z and Beyonce — according to Boat International, the Flying Fox stands 104 feet above the waterline. The yacht features a pool, spa, gym and 11 cabins
Said to be the world’s largest yacht available for charter — it’s hosted Jay-Z and Beyonce — according to Boat International, the Flying Fox stands 104 feet above the waterline.
The yacht was built in 2019 and features a pool, spa, gym and 11 cabins for 25 passengers.
The probe into the yacht allegedly linked to Kamenshchik, which owns Moscow’s Domededovo Airport – one of the largest in Russia – comes as the European Union, the UK and the United States targeted Russian billionaires and their ships, Homes and jets have been confiscated to make money President Vladimir Putin.
VesselsValue’s head of superyachts, Sam Tucker, recently told Forbes that the oligarchs’ ownership of the giant vessels is “notoriously private”.
The yachts are usually owned by offshore companies. There are at least 43 yachts worth at least $5.4 billion. Sanctioned Russian billionaires own 22 ships worth $3.1 billion.
“Technically, these yachts are owned by a special purpose entity that is often in a different jurisdiction than the beneficial owner,” Tucker said. “There are also lease systems that distance further [owner] from the fortune.’
British officials on Tuesday seized a Russian businessman’s $49 million yacht. Officials boarded the Phi at Canary Wharf, east of London.
The ship is the first to be detained in the UK under sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine.
“This is just another indication that we will not stand by while Putin’s cronies are allowed to sail around the world in such yachts and the people of Ukraine suffer,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.
“When you see what he’s doing to Ukraine, when you see what he’s doing to people’s lives, it can’t be right to have a yacht like this here in London that can just sail away and that’s why we impounded her it and denied its ability to go anywhere now.’
Finland seized 21 yachts last week while investigating whether they belonged to Russian oligarchs.