Russian tycoon brought a superyacht to Turkey to “evade” sanctions

Source of Reuters The billionaire, along with other wealthy Russians, is looking to invest in Turkey after sanctions elsewhere.

Western governments have targeted billionaire Abramovich and a number of other Russian oligarchs by punishing them.

Meanwhile, Turkey has said it opposes sanctions by its NATO allies. That could make Turkey a safe haven for Russians looking to invest and protect assets.

According to ReutersEclipse – one of the largest superyachts in the world with a length of 162.5 m with two helipads, 9 decks and a swimming pool with integrated missile defense system – has docked at Marmaris resort in southwestern Turkey after passing through the Greek islands.

A day earlier, Solaris – another 140-meter superyacht also owned by Mr. Abramovich – also arrived at the Bodrum resort 80 km away.

These are two of the yachts owned by billionaire Abramovich, according to SuperYachtFan, SuperYacht and Forbes.

According to flight tracking data and close sources, the owner of Chelsea football club was also in Istanbul for a short time last week. However, there is no indication that he was on board his two superyachts worth up to $1.2 billion (estimated at $600 million or more each).

A source in Ankara said Reuters know, he and other wealthy Russians are looking to invest in Turkey to avoid sanctions from elsewhere.

“He wants to do some work and maybe buy some properties,” the source said, adding that the tycoon already has some assets in Turkey.

Another source in Ankara said that Turkey is not currently considering participating in sanctions against Russia and expects rich Russians to buy assets and invest in the country.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry and Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether Western governments have asked Turkey to seize the sanctioned assets. Last week, Turkey’s banking regulator said it was monitoring sanctions on Russia but had not yet instructed banks to place limits on any country’s citizens.