Roman Abramovich’s two luxury yachts, worth almost a billion euros, are currently sailing the Mediterranean to avoid arrest, according to real-time tracking websites.
Solaris is Abramovich’s latest acquisition at a staggering €496 million. The superyacht, bought a year ago by a Russian billionaire, has its own helipad and its own missile detection system. It quickly berthed the Catalan shipyard before repairs were completed on March 8, in the face of an arsenal of Western sanctions against Russia.
Having taken refuge in Montenegro on March 12, the yacht was still in the Bay of Kotor in Tivat.
The ship is currently in the Ionian Sea off the coast of Greece. The ship appears to be heading south, possibly the Middle East. Thus, “My Solaris” had to leave Montenegro on Monday.
Because even if the country is not part of the European Union, the yacht is no longer safe. According to Bloomberg, the Montenegrin authorities have announced that they will join the sanctions imposed by Europe.
Another superyacht of Roman Abramovich “Eclipse” is also in motion. The vessel, which has been in operation since 2010, was at that time the largest yacht in the world. This 162.5 meter long boat has two pools, bulletproof glass and a rumored missile defense system. It is large enough to accommodate three helicopters and a submarine, 36 guests and 70 employees. The boat cost 340 million euros, but today it would be worth more than half a billion.
This superyacht, usually moored in St. Maarten, abruptly left its home port on February 21, three days before the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Leaving Saint Martin on February 21, the Eclipse is currently south of the Mediterranean Sea MarineTraffic Screenshot
VesselFinder data shows the Eclipse headed south into the Mediterranean. It is currently located off the coast of Sicily.
The destination of the two ships is unknown. It is not excluded that they will go to Israel, where Abramovich hopes to deliver them to a safe place. According to Reuters, Turkey was previously mentioned as a potential destination.
It is also unknown, according to the news agency, whether the two superyachts could actually be arrested if they sail in European waters. However, superyachts owned by Russian oligarchs have been seized in France, Italy and Spain since the invasion began.