The Ragnar, 68 meters, is in Narvik and cannot leave because the locals refuse to fill it up with petrol: “We know exactly what is happening in Ukraine. Why should we help them? They can row home or lift their wheels.” . Sail “. The captain of the yacht: “The owner is not on the sanctions list, and the crew is not Russian, we just want to go home.” The owner of the boat is Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent and longtime acquaintance of Vladimir Putin
“rowing” or “hoisting sails”. That was the reply from the captain of a yacht owned by a Russian oligarch when he tried to refuel while docked in a Norwegian port, but locals repeatedly refused to sell him the yacht. The story centers on the 68 meter long Ragnar, which remained dry and is actually stuck in Narvik harbor in northern Norway. The owner is Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent and longtime acquaintance of Vladimir Putin, who made a fortune mining nickel as CEO of Norilsk Nickel and received $100 million in compensation when he resigned. He was also Deputy Economy Minister in Russia and is currently on the board of directors of Dynamo Moscow football team (LIVE UPDATES SKY TG24 SPECIAL VIDEOS AND REPORTS FROM UKRAINE).
The captain: “The crew is not Russian, we just want to go home”
also read
War in Ukraine, new US sanctions against Russian oligarchs
Captain Rob Lankester, quoted by the Guardian, says he is a former British Royal Marine and accused Norwegian authorities of discrimination, saying the yacht owner is not on the sanctions list and that neither he nor his crew of 15 are Russians. The yacht is not Russian either, it is registered in Malta and sails under the Maltese flag: “But nobody is listening to us, we just want to go home”. He then accused Norway of operating with double standards, as Russian fishing vessels, which he says account for 20% of northern Norway’s economy, “are able to buy fuel and operate freely in Norwegian ports and waters”. In a written complaint sent to authorities on March 15 and read by the Guardian, he wrote: “This yacht and her ultimate beneficial owner are not on the European or UK sanctions lists, so we believe discrimination against us is extremely serious.” is unfair. .
Norwegian: “We don’t want to contribute to the Russian economy”
deepening
Ukrainian war that the Russian oligarchs are close to Putin
But locals, the Guardian reports, said the yacht was not welcome. Sven Holmlund, General Manager of Holmlund Oil Supplies in Narvik, told NRK: “The behavior of the Russians in Ukraine leaves me speechless. Why should we help them? You can row home or set sail.” Halbakk Bunkers, which delivers fuel along the entire Norwegian coast and specializes in refueling foreign ships calling at Narvik harbour, also turned down requests for help: “We are full and fully aware of what is happening in Ukraine. “his general manager Gunnar Grann told NRK. “That’s why we decided to say no to all Russian boats, including trawlers. We don’t want to get into a situation where we contribute in any way to the Russian economy.”
The ultra luxury yacht
deepening
Villas and yachts in Europe: the assets confiscated by the Russian oligarchs. PHOTO
Broadcaster NRK, who received permission to board the ship, described her as a yacht that “exudes luxury and exclusive craftsmanship”. It features icebreaker technology and is equipped for polar research. It features a gym, spa, swimming pool, helicopter and multiple sundecks, as well as a garage with snowmobiles, jet skis, ski and snowboard equipment. It was recently put up for sale for €69 million.
economy
Ukraine, here are the tax havens to which the oligarchs flee
The conflict has prompted the West to target figures close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the measures adopted may not be as effective as hoped. There are countries where their wealth is safe, and several billionaires already seem to have noticed
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, the West has imposed very tough sanctions on Russia and the US oligarchs, very rich people and very close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has influenced some of his decisions in the past. There has been speculation about this for the past few days Freeze their assets could prompt her to review her relationship with Putin and, at best, persuade him to quit. But it seems that this scenario is optimistic and that their assets are not too vulnerable
As an article in Il Messaggero explains, citing an estimate by the National Bureau of Economic Research, are Russia’s wealthiest families They hide 60% of their wealth the equivalent of a trillion dollars outside the country. As long as it is not clear where, sanctions can never have their full effect. Another problem is the loopholes. The oligarchs would seek refuge in it tax havens and in countries like the United Arab Emirates, where there has not yet been highlevel condemnation of the Ukraine conflict and therefore no sanctions have been imposed
Dubai has long offered a Safe haven. In recent years, the New York Times explains, “it has become a playground for wealthy Russians, thanks in part to its reputation for asking few questions about where foreign money comes from.” For now, at least 38 between businessmen and officials — six of whom are under sanctions — have properties in that city totaling $314 million