sandra melnichenko yacht

Ukraine war: £443m superyacht owned by oligarch Andrey Melnichenko seized in Italy as part of sanctions

The vessel, the biggest sailing yacht in the world, is owned by billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, who made a fortune in fertiliser production and coal.

News reporter

Sunday 13 March 2022 01:14, UK

A Russian-owned superyacht valued at £443m has been confiscated by Italian police in the port of Trieste as part of a global crackdown on wealthy oligarchs.

The Sy A yacht is owned by billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, 50, who made a fortune in fertiliser production and coal.

The vessel was seized on Friday evening.

Designed by Philippe Starck and built by Nobiskrug in Germany, the vessel is the world's biggest sailing yacht at 143m in length.

Read more: Russia says Western arms shipments now 'legitimate military targets' - follow latest updates on Ukraine war

Footage shows police cars approaching the triple-masted yacht and officers boarding it.

Italian authorities last week seized £120m in luxury yachts and villas belonging to Russian billionaires in picturesque retreats such as Sardinia, the Ligurian coast and Lake Como as part of sanctions against oligarchs linked to Vladimir Putin.

A statement from the Official Journal of the European Union described Melnichenko as belonging to the "most influential circle of Russian businesspeople with close connections to the Russian Government".

It added: "On 24 February 2022, in the aftermath of the initial stages of Russian aggression against Ukraine, Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko, along with other 36 businesspeople, met with President Vladimir Putin and other members of the Russian government to discuss the impact of the course of action in the wake of Western sanctions.

"The fact that he was invited to attend this meeting shows that he is a member of the closest circle of Vladimir Putin and that he is supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as stability and security in Ukraine."

A spokesperson for Melnichenko said the businessman had "no relation to the tragic events in Ukraine and has no political affiliations".

"There is no justification whatsoever for placing him on the EU sanctions list.

"We will be disputing these baseless and unjustified sanctions, and believe that the rule of law and common sense will prevail."

A number of oligarchs have sought to move their superyachts to safe locations to avoid confiscation.

Roman Abramovich's superyacht Solaris has been spotted in the small Adriatic Sea state of Montenegro.

The 533ft Solaris was seen on Saturday outside the Porto Montenegro marina in the coastal town of Tivat after arriving from Barcelona.

There was no immediate comment from the Montenegrin authorities on the arrival of the £460m vessel.

The NATO country has joined Western sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

It comes after Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government .

The Chelsea Football Club owner is one of seven more Russian oligarchs who have had sanctions placed on them by ministers in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A government document announcing the move said that Abramovich has had a "close relationship for decades" with Putin.

The UK is the first nation to sanction Abramovich, who has been described by the government as a "pro-Kremlin oligarch".

The government has now sanctioned more than 200 individuals and entities.

Related Topics

672 Wine Club

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Benchmark Wines
• Brian Fox Art
• Disneyland Resort
• Ka La’I Wakiki Beach
• Kalamazoo Grill
• Raffles Hotels & Resorts
• Tributary Idaho
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide

Italian Police Seize Russian Oligarch Andrey Melnichenko’s 468-Foot ‘Sailing Yacht A’

The list keeps growing with the impoundment of "sailing yacht a" and suspicion that "scheherazade" might be connected to vladimir putin., michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories.

• I Learned How to Fly This Electric Aircraft in a Week—and I Didn’t Need a License
• A Frothy Genoa International Boat Show Proves the Yachting World Is Alive and Kicking
• This Bonkers Space Balloon Just Completed Its First Full Test Flight
• Share This Article

Italy’s finance police seized one of the world’s most iconic sailing yachts, owned by a Russian oligarch. Andrey Melnichenko’s Sailing Yacht A , with an estimated value of $578 million, was impounded in dry dock at the Port of Trieste, according to a statement from the Guardia di Finanzia. Melninchenko was sanctioned by the European Union on March 9 as part of a group of Russian oligarchs who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin following its Ukraine invasion to discuss the potential economic impact of EU and American sanctions.

Related Stories

Four seasons yachts wants to take you to the caribbean for the holidays.

• Review: Can-Am’s First Motorcycles in Decades Are Electric. Here’s How They Rate.

Melnichenko owns the major fertilizer producer EuroChem Group and SUEK, a coal company. He also owns the 390-foot Motor Yacht A. A spokesperson said in a statement that Melnichenko has nothing to do with politics and that he has removed himself from the board of Eurochem and SUEK after the EU sanctioned him. “He has no relation to the tragic events in Ukraine. He has no political affiliations,” said the statement.

US intelligence officials have also said they are trying to link the Scheherazade , a $700 million superyacht in dry dock in Italy, to Putin. The New York Times reported that the US government has made no definite conclusions about the yacht’s ownership, but believe it could be owned by the Russian president. The yacht’s captain, Guy Bennett-Pearce, told the Times that Putin had no stake in the yacht, but declined to name the owner. Bennett-Pearce said he would provide Italian police with documents that divulged the owner’s name. The Italian Sea Group, which owns the shipyard where Scheherazade is dry docked, said that, based on “checks carried out by relevant authorities,” the yacht is “not attributable to the property of Russian President Vladimir Putin.”

Roman Abramovich, who owns Solaris. last week was placed on the UK sanctions list.  Courtesy of Lloyd Werft

Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich was also added to the UK sanctions list days after he announced the sale of the football club. Abramovich, who owns a string of supercars and several private jets, also owns the superyachts Solaris and Eclipse. Solaris is reportedly sailing towards Israel, where Abramovich has dual citizenship.

On March 3, France’s finance ministry said that it had impounded Amore Vero , a yacht owned by Igor Sechin, CEO of Russian oil giant Rosneft. The EU had sanctioned Sechin earlier that week, calling him one of Putin’s “most trusted and closest advisors, as well as his personal friend.” German authorities also detained the 512-foot superyacht Dilbar in Hamburg, owned by Alisher Usmanov. Reports said the crew was fired last week. On March 5, Italian authorities impounded two yachts, Lena and Lady M , owned by Gennady Timchenko and Alexei Mordashov, respectively.

On Friday, the US State Department placed Viktor Vekselberg on its sanctions list. Two of Vekeselberg’s luxury assets, an Airbus A319-115 jet and his yacht Tango , were identified as “blocked property.”

The superyacht Scheherazade was impounded in Italy during an investigation to uncover whether it is owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin.  Video Still/YT

The seizures have prompted the superyacht industry to distance itself from the oligarchs. Italian yacht builders Sanlorenzo and Azimut both released statements that they have limited exposure to Russian clients, and none are on the sanctions list. Heesen Yachts released a statement that two Russians sitting on its supervisory board of directors have resigned their positions. The builder said Heesen is 100-percent Dutch-owned company and that Pavel Sukhoruchkin and Pavel Novoselov had nothing to do with its day-to-day operations.

Ownership of many Russian yachts is often hidden by shell companies in tax havens like the Cayman Islands. They are not only hard to trace, but actually seizing and selling them could present a legal quagmire that could take years to resolve.

Some are wondering whether seizing the oligarchs’ private yachts and jets will work. “Sanctions are another example of the West doing what it does best, which is just throwing a lot of cash at the problem and hoping it gets solved,” Olga Chyzh, a professor of political science at the University of Toronto, told the Washington Post. “However sad they are to let go of their Western assets, oligarchs have even more to lose if Putin is no longer there to protect them.”

Eclipse is another yacht owned by Roman Abramovich.  Robb Report File

In the meantime, some oligarchs are taking their yachts to destinations like the Maldives , the Seychelles and Dubai, which have no extradition treaties with the US and EU. Dubai has become a favorite destination for Russian tourism and wealth.

Alex Finley, a former CIA officer, has been tracking the yachts from Barcelona. Using the hashtag “Yacht Watch,” she posts updates on Twitter for Russian-owned superyachts.

“For me, the yachts are a big, easily recognizable symbol of the more serious side of this [Russian invasion]: These are people who support a dictator, and have been supporting him in carrying out destabilization operations against democracy, while at the same time coming here and taking all the benefits of the exact same democracies they were destabilizing,” Finley told the Washington Post.

Read More On:

• Azimut Yachts
• Sanlorenzo Yachts

More Marine

This New 454-Foot Gigayacht Concept Comes With a Bonkers Underwater Lounge

How Don Johnson Channeled His Love for the Water Into a New TV Series

Meet GX Superyachts, a New Shipyard Creating Custom Hybrids Ranging From 78 to 164 Feet

Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently.

Receive editor-curated reds from boutique California producers four times a year.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

Inspire Superyacht Concept in Photos

The GX Superyachts Range in Photos

More from our brands, cardi b puts punk rock spin on corsetry in graffiti print minidress at vivienne westwood’s spring 2025 show during paris fashion week, metlife stadium to host club world cup final next year, spotify down users report access problems, christie’s first 21st century day sale at new hong kong hq sees middling results, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Exclusive: pushing the boundaries of technology, Sailing Yacht A

Andrey Melnichenko is a man with exceptional vision. Where other yacht owners like to blend into the background, he wants his superyachts to push the boundaries of design, creativity and technology as well as make a statement. His first superyacht, Motor Yacht A , rocked the superyacht world with its radical design and now he’s done it again.

With an insatiable appetite to drive change he has put together a highly skilled team to build his new creation, currently under construction in Germany. Boat International was given exclusive access to the yacht, and we can reveal for the first time its name, Sailing Yacht A , and that this huge new project is a “sail-assisted motor yacht”.

This is the second yacht in Melnichenko’s portfolio. His first, Motor Yacht A , split opinion, but today stands as one of the most talked about and recognisable yachts in the world. But Sailing Yacht A is a much bolder move and Melnichenko has raised the stakes even higher with a radically designed yacht that introduces new technologies and techniques never before used in the shipbuilding industry. He also broke down barriers by creating his own project team to undertake the build from start to finish. Sailing Yacht A is a monument to invention.

Philippe Starck , who created Motor Yacht A , and from there went on to design Venus for the late Steve Jobs, is working once again for Andrey and Aleksandra Melnichenko on the project. “I am honoured and happy to bring to life the owner’s dream of what will be the summit of high technology and poetry,” says Starck.

Sailing Yacht A is a unique story that began as far back as 2008 when eight of the world’s leading designers were invited to submit their ideas for a huge project – the creation of one of the world’s biggest sail-assisted private yachts. Initially, French designer Jacques Garcia was chosen for his designs, but later there were concerns about the progress of design development, and the owner decided on a change of direction.

Sailing Yacht A is slated for delivery in 2016, although her masts were not stepped when Boat International was invited on board in July. The interior was also under wraps, but here we can take a look at some of her incredible statistics.

She is a three-masted, 142.81 metre (LOA) sail-assisted motor yacht, with a moulded beam at the widest point of 24.88 metres, an eight metre encapsulated keel and a gross tonnage of approximately 12,700GT. For a vessel of this size it was a challenge to find a shipyard that had the capacity, knowledge and skills to put together the naval architecture and engineering for the motor yacht side of the project. The one chosen, given its skills in building large yachts, was Nobiskrug in Germany.

For the sailing design, rig and keel, and associated structural engineering, Dykstra Naval Architects  in The Netherlands was appointed for its advanced technical abilities demonstrated on various world-class sailing yachts. Aloft Sailing Yacht A carries three of the largest and most highly loaded composite freestanding structures in the world produced by Magma Structures in the UK. The custom booms were made by Future Fibres in Valencia, and the custom sails by Doyle Sails in the USA.

With a hull and superstructure predominantly constructed of steel and incorporating composite and accents of carbon fibre, in order to keep the weight and draught to an acceptable level, Sailing Yacht A is the highest classified vessel of her type: (Maltese Cross) 100A1 Passenger ship Sail Assisted, (Maltese Cross) LMC UMC and (Maltese Cross) 100A1 Yacht Mono G6.

Propulsion comes from a customised hybrid diesel-electric package made up of two MTU 3,600kW diesel engines, and two 4,300kW electric motors, driving shafts ending in highly skewed five-bladed Andritz controllable pitch propellers. She is expected to cruise under power at 16 knots with an expected range of 5,320 nautical miles and will have a top speed of 21 knots.

With her uninterrupted shard-like appearance she carries her eight decks aft along the sheerline, which slopes up towards the stern, reaching a full beam width of 24.88 metres at the widest point. All her machinery is hidden within the hull structure, and as you can see, everything, including the windows, are flush. The bridge control centre for propulsion and sailing systems is on deck seven and there is a touch-and-go helicopter pad on deck six. There is accommodation available for up to 54 crew.

There are many more technical advances, innovations and surprises throughout her hull, decks and keel, which Boat International will reveal, in detail, in an exclusive feature in the November issue.

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More about this yacht

More stories, most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

Sneak a peak into Sandra and Andrey Melnichenko's superyacht A

More photos

Superyacht "A" can be called the ultimate masterpiece in the field of design, and is considered one of the finest yachts in existence...

It is the work of Philippe Starck and is truly unconventional, due to its "overturned" hull and unique exterior aesthetics. The luxury yacht, 119 meters long, has a whole range of unique amenities, including innovative engineering and design, as well as three swimming pools that have their own water flow. It also has two unique 11-meter tenders, the Open and Limo models, which are also the work of design genius Philippe Starck.

Its interior is modern and refined in design, with exquisitely assigned functions in the space, wooden finishing touches and numerous other details, such as a glass roof that overlooks one of the swimming pools.

It is powered by twin 6035hp MAN RK280 Diesel engines, and is capable of a speed of 23 knots, with a nautical range of 4250 nm. This yacht has the latest equipment when it comes to navigation and entertainment, and is ready and equipped for all the actions its owners want. It offers unparalleled comfort and convenience in travel, with advanced stabilizers and insulation. Superyacht A has enough room for fourteen guests, in one owner's suite and six guest suites, and has enough room for 37 crew members, who work day and night on it to keep it immaculate.

By the way, Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko gave this yacht to his wife Sandra. When the work on the interior decoration of this yacht was carried out, Sandra participated in every step of the design, choosing the materials and all the necessary details. She knew exactly what kind of space she wanted on her yacht, which we can see from the ingeniously designed and ultra-spacious walk-in closet she designed. Her grandiose and glamorous wardrobe is located in the master suite of the yacht and can be unlocked with a fingerprint!

The entire yacht exudes elegance and luxury, which is the true embodiment of modern and timeless style. Every detail on the yacht is well thought out and has a purpose. Although the life of the Russian rich is mostly hidden from the public eye, Sandra shared several pictures of her yacht.

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by BENEDETTA IOVANE, The Luxury Yacht Lady (@b.lex_benedettaiovane)

Is Leonardo DiCaprio the Biggest Hollywood Hypocrite?

Leonardo DiCaprio doesn’t make headlines just for his talent; he’s also known for his penchant for younger women, his advocacy for climate change awareness, and his unabashed use o...

Superyacht Larger Than the Titanic Ready to Offer Maximum Enjoyment

When you've seen enough of this world, change your perspective, and everything will be new again...

Golden Yacht Khalilah Fails to Find Buyers Despite Huge Discount

Despite a nearly $5 million discount, the Palmer Johnson yacht has not attracted any wealthy buyers...

Follow us on instagram

Related topics.

Yachts and Boats - Luxury Toys

A New Addition to Uber’s Offerings – Luxury Yachts

After bringing disruptive changes to the taxi industry, Uber is ready to shake up another sector...

Italy Pays for the Maintenance of Seized Superyachts of Russian Oligarchs

While Italy enthusiastically seized seven luxurious superyachts from wealthy Russian oligarchs, its taxpayers are left footing the $35 million bill for maintaining these floating p...

Baglietto T52: A Hybrid Yacht for a New Era

Introduced at Milan Design Week, the new motor yacht Baglietto T52 combines contemporary design with ecological awareness, setting new standards in the luxury yacht industry...

Triton introduces the most luxurious submarine for billionaires

Reminiscent of a UFO, this $6.3 million submarine created by Triton is the ultimate toy for billionaires and their mega-yachts...

Ukraine Auctions Seized Russian Yacht Royal Romance

The winning bid for the vessel valued at $217 million will be announced next month, with the proceeds being used for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Unica by ISA Yachts: The Embodiment of Contemporary Trends

The Italian shipyard ISA Yachts has launched UNICA – a fully aluminum super yacht measuring 40 meters in length.

Combining the Luxurious and the Authentic with PONANT Luxury Cruises

Regarding travel styles, there are often two distinct approaches that seem to be at opposite ends: luxury travel and authentic travel.

Tankoa Yachts Unveils the Magnificent Milano Yacht

Tankoa Yachts introduces the magnificent Milano yacht, a 70-meter vessel that proves elegance and innovation can go hand in hand.

Kenshō: Between Sky and Sea

The luxurious Kenshō project, signed by the Jouin Manku studio, presents a revolutionary approach to yacht design...

USA is Paying $600,000 Monthly for Maintenance of Seized Russian Superyacht

Government seeks to sell $325 million yacht to end "Excessive Costs" of maintenance.

Kokomo Ailand: A Private Floating Island for Future Centibillionaires

Why should future centibillionaires buy megayachts when they can have their very own floating and maneuverable private island?

Luxury Toys - Yachts and Boats

Migaloo M5: Luxury Yacht-Submarine Worth $2 Billion

Imagine a yacht so luxurious and technologically advanced that it resembles more of a floating castle than a mere vessel...

Subscribe for our newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. If you continue to search this site, you agree to the use of web cookies. See our Cookie Policy for more information.

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko berths superyacht in UAE

• Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko berths superyacht in UAE on x (opens in a new window)
• Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko berths superyacht in UAE on facebook (opens in a new window)
• Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko berths superyacht in UAE on linkedin (opens in a new window)
• Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko berths superyacht in UAE on whatsapp (opens in a new window)

Simeon Kerr in Ras al-Khaimah

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Investigators around the world have been searching for sanctions-hit Russian oligarchs’ yachts. One has been hiding in plain sight.

Italian authorities in March impounded Russian coal and fertilisers magnate Andrey Melnichenko’s $600mn Sailing Yacht A after Russia invaded Ukraine. Another yacht, the $300mn Philippe Starck-designed Motor Yacht A, has been anchored for weeks in the port of Ras al-Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates.

By placing his yacht in the UAE, Melnichenko has put it beyond the reach of western governments enforcing sanctions on those deemed supportive of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.

Its presence is a symbolic reminder of the Gulf monarchy’s ambivalence towards western sanctions on Russia, allies of Putin and the wealthy businessmen who have often benefited from ties to the state.

While the UAE government is trying to enhance measures against money laundering to exit a global dirty-money watchdog’s watchlist, the economic foundation of cities such as Dubai has long been based on welcoming flows of assets and people.

“Given its non-enforcement of western sanctions, the dilemma for the UAE is how to sustain its place as an open destination for capital while also appearing to be a good global citizen,” said one compliance professional. “It’s a tricky balancing act.”

The government of the Isle of Man said it had in March deregistered Melnichenko’s yachts, including Motor Yacht A, because of western sanctions, saying, “we will continue to act with appropriate robustness should the situation warrant it”.

Marine locator services placed Motor Yacht A off the Maldives in March. The Financial Times then saw the yacht on April 18. On Saturday it remained moored opposite Ras al-Khaimah’s city-centre fish market.

Businessmen in the UAE say Melnichenko, who denies affiliations to the Kremlin, held meetings there in April, but the tycoon has since returned to Moscow. A representative of Melnichenko, who has been placed under sanctions by the EU and UK as well as Switzerland and Australia, referred questions on the yacht to a lawyer who declined to comment.

UAE authorities in Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Abu Dhabi declined to comment.

European officials say they have raised concerns with Emirati counterparts that the UAE could become a financial haven for Russians placed under western sanctions. “We don’t want our allies to become facilitators for the Putin regime,” said one.

The UAE government has said it is maintaining a neutral course through the war, calling for an end to hostilities and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Abu Dhabi, which has developed closer ties with Moscow in recent years, has also assured its allies that sanctions-hit entities will not be able to operate in the UAE. The Gulf monarchy, which has long argued that it is not compelled to enforce other nations’ sanctions, is keen to maintain its historical role as an apolitical territory focused on business.

Thousands of wealthy, non-sanctions-hit Russians have relocated to the UAE to escape economic uncertainty and political instability at home, even though they sometimes struggle to access the financial system. “Big banks are more cautious but smaller banks are offering help to those wishing to relocate. It’s just taking a lot of time,” said a Russian businessman.

Very wealthy Russians generally find financial institutions accommodating. Most of the wealthy elite have second passports from countries that sell nationality, such as Malta or Portugal, which facilitates the opening of new accounts with lenders that are warier of Russian passport holders.

Others have turned to alternative routes, such as cryptocurrencies and hawala, or informal money exchange services. The cost of this service has risen from 1 per cent of the transaction value to 5 per cent since the war broke out as demand surges, said one person aware of the trades.

Many in the UAE see a hypocrisy in western concern over the presence of the yacht and the Russians building new lives there. “So it was OK for London to take all the oligarch money but not for Dubai?” asked one lawyer.

Additional reporting by Nastassia Astrasheuskaya in Riga

Promoted Content

Follow the topics in this article.

• War in Ukraine Add to myFT
• Financials Add to myFT
• Russian business & finance Add to myFT
• Government of Russia Add to myFT
• United Arab Emirates Add to myFT

Comments have not been enabled for this article.

The $578 million megayacht owned by Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko was seized by Italy

• Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko's yacht was seized Friday, Italian authorities said.
• Sailing Yacht A is the world's largest sailing yacht at around 469 feet long and has eight decks.
• Melnichenko was sanctioned by the European Union in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A megayacht belonging to Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko was seized by Italian authorities on Friday, CNN reported.

A statement from Italy's finance police said the yacht, known as SY A or Sailing Yacht A, was worth around 530 million euros, or $578 million, according to CNN. It also said the yacht was currently in storage in Trieste, Italy. Maritime tracking data viewed by Insider confirmed the location of the yacht in the Adriatic Sea.

Melnichenko is one of the billionaire oligarchs sanctioned by the European Union in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Melnichenko, who is worth $11 billion according to Forbes, founded fertilizer producer EuroChem Group and coal energy company SUEK.

In announcing its decision, the EU council said Melnichenko "belongs to the most influential circle of Russian businesspeople with close connections to the Russian Government." It also said he was among a group of 37 businesspeople who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials on February 24 to discuss the impact of potential sanctions.

"The fact that he was invited to attend this meeting shows that he is a member of the closest circle of Vladimir Putin and that he is supporting or implementing actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as stability and security in Ukraine," the EU said, adding it also showed he is "providing a substantial source of revenue to the Government of Russia."

In a statement provided to Insider, a spokesperson for Melnichenko denied the EU's accusations about his connections to the war in Ukraine.

Related stories

"Andrey Melnichenko is an international self-made entrepreneur. He has no relation to the tragic events in Ukraine. He has no political affiliations. To draw a parallel between attending a meeting through membership in a business council, just as dozens of businesspeople from both Russia and Europe have done in the past, and undermining or threatening a country is absurd and nonsensical," the statement said.

"There is no justification whatsoever for placing him on the EU sanctions list. We will be disputing these baseless and unjustified sanctions, and believe that the rule of law and common sense will prevail," the statement continued.

The spokesperson also noted Melnichenko resigned as a member of the board and main beneficiary of both EuroChem Group  and SUEK this week, as the companies announced in separate statements on Thursday. He also said both companies are privately owned and not affiliated with any government, and that EuroChem Group is based in Switzerland.

Sailing Yacht A is the worlds largest sailing yacht at around 469 feet long, according to SuperYachtFan.com . It has 300-foot masts, eight decks, a swimming pool, and an underwater observation pod. It's one of several megayachts owned by Russian oligarchs that are subject to sanctions.

Some Russian oligarchs and billionaires have tried to escape sanctions by transporting their luxury yachts to places like Dubai, which has not enacted sanctions, and the Maldives, which does not have an extradition treaty with the US.

• Main content

Smooth Sailing: Aleksandra Melnichenko

To say that Aleksandra Melnichenko, a former Yugoslavian pop star and model turned society hostess and haute-couture collector, lives a fairy-tale life is a bit of an understatement. Quite frankly, fairy tales fall short in the luxury department, and Melnichenko is surrounded in the stuff. She and her husband, Andrey, a self-made billionaire from Belarus who made his fortune through banking and energy investments, even have their own legendary logo—a capital A with stenciled foliage—emblazoned on everything from the couple's stationery and napkins to their private jet and the stern of their 390-foot-long boat. Named affectionately for each other, it is called A.

"My husband had a strong idea of creating something modern," the 34-year-old Melnichenko says about her spouse, who Forbes listed this year as the 105th wealthiest person in the world, with a net worth of $8.6 billion. "He said he didn't want details, just clean lines. It's genius."

The yacht, a sleek, modern monster designed by Philippe Starck, has sent ripples through the megayacht world since its maiden voyage in 2008. Everyone is wowed by its numbers: It allegedly cost more than $300 million to build, boasts nearly 24,000 square feet of living space, employs a crew of at least 35, contains a master suite encased in bomb-proof 44-millimeter glass, and requires more than half a million dollars just to fill up the 200,000-gallon gas tank. "Philippe Starck made our dream of a perfect 3-D image come alive," Melnichenko says. Not that she wasn't involved in the boat's creation. "I was included in every step of the interior design," she says.

Which means that the statuesque beauty can be credited with some of the more luxurious details. Walls are covered in stingray and silver leaf, Baccarat-crystal tables and floor-to-ceiling mirrors fill the guest suites and vast interiors, and exotic Michel Haillard horned chairs covered in crocodile skin have tails that slink out onto the floor. Needless to say, A has made quite the impression at docks all over Central and South America, California, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, and the Mediterranean. Its unmistakable silhouette even inspired bloggers to track its coordinates based on port spottings. Melnichenko says she is looking forward to taking it to Asia this winter.

Similar to her floating paradise, Melnichenko's appearance is unforgettable. She is tall and lithe, always sun kissed and impeccably yet strikingly dressed. At a party on A this past summer, she celebrated her sixth wedding anniversary in a giant lime-green Givenchy haute-couture mermaid gown. Later in the evening, when Snoop Dogg performed in a mirrored discothèque built specifically for the occasion, she changed into a delicate, flirty, open-backed Azzedine Alaïa dress. (The couple apparently enjoy live music and in the past have hired Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston, and Christina Aguilera to play at their events.) "The boat is perfect for parties, and we are always looking forward to the next one," she says. She frequently entertains guests on board—Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher rang in New Year's on A this winter in St. Barts—but also loves the solace of the open sea: "We love to be alone on A, just Andrey, me, and Vala." Vala is her purebred Maltese dog who has accompanied the couple to more than 40 countries in her first year and put her paws down in as far-flung locations as Antarctica and the Himalayas.

Melnichenko's sizable wardrobe is located in the boat's master suite—which requires a fingerprint scan for access—and reflects her polar-opposite fashion preferences: extreme extravagance and ultradiscreet classicism. "My personal style is minimalist or totally over-the-top. I hate anything in the middle," she says.

A flair for dramatic fashion isn't a newfound discovery. "My first high-fashion piece was an emerald-green Versace dress my parents bought me when I was 14 for my prom, and this was in the middle of the Versace craziness of the 1990s," she says. On her 30th birthday, she wore a Japanese-inspired Dior by John Galliano gown that weighed more than 80 pounds.

Currently, her closet is packed with pieces from Azzedine Alaïa, who calls her one of his daughters, and basics from the Row. A devoted haute-couture shopper who goes to Paris for the shows every January and July, she says with pride that she was one of Riccardo Tisci's first clients when he revamped Givenchy's couture house and that she nearly cried when Christian Lacroix announced he was shuttering his label. "I love beauty, and I don't understand ugliness in fashion, so I admire all the people who are making this world more beautiful," she explains.

Melnichenko, who met her husband in the South of France in 2003 and married him on the second anniversary of that meeting in a Vera Wang wedding dress ("I wanted to love the dress forever, so I chose something timeless"), considers her acquisitions of beautiful things more than a hobby. The Melnichenkos' collection extends beyond fashion, including a museum-quality art collection (she sleeps next to two enormous works from Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" series) and 18th-century furniture. "I would love to leave my collection to a museum when I die," she says, having already lent several to important institutions. "I think it's very selfish to keep any form of art just for yourself."

In some ways, Melnichenko is a mixture of Daphne Guinness, the indisputable face of the fashion-as-art argument, and Elizabeth Taylor, who stated that she was a temporary custodian of beautiful things. She considers herself something of an art and couture curator. To wit, she has purchased couture looks that she plans to never wear but simply own as important pieces for her collection. "Fashion is the most accessible art form," she says, "and it gives us the possibility to create our own art by wearing it."

Celebrity News

Beyoncé Outshines The Eiffel Tower in a Gold Gown

Kendall Jenner Offers a Backstage Look at Her PFW

Pamela Anderson Debuts a Hot Pink Hairstyle

Hailey Bieber Layers Leather Pieces for Date Night

Ariana Grande Wears a Seafoam Green Velvet Gown

Gigi Hadid Puts a Parisian Twist on Bermuda Shorts

Getting Ready With Juliette Lewis for Chloé SS25

Kylie Jenner’s Balmain Dress Has a Pic of Her Face

Getting Ready with Yseult for the Dior SS25 Show

Charli XCX Is Keeping Brat Vibes Alive for Fall

Rosalía Does Transitional Dressing in Paris

EmRata’s Son, Sly, Makes Paris Fashion Week Debut

• Breaking News
• University Guide
• Meghan Markle
• Prince Harry
• King Charles III

We're going on A-cation: Russian billionaire takes his glamorous wife and child on vacation in Italy aboard his £240m Yacht A (despite recently upgrading to a £360m vessel)

• Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko and his wife Aleksandra have been seen on a spring holiday in Italy
• His huge £240m 'Motor Yacht A' was spotted off the Riviera coastline of Portofino in the country's north west
• It comes despite billionaire upgrading to one of the largest private sailing yachts in the world 'Sailing Yacht A'

By Julian Robinson for MailOnline

Published: 11:04 EDT, 18 April 2017 | Updated: 09:42 EDT, 19 April 2017

View comments

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko and his wife have been spotted holidaying in Italy aboard his £240million yacht.

The 45-year-old, his wife Aleksandra and their child were seen on a spring vacation on the Italian Riviera coastline of Portofino having stepped off his luxury 390ft 'Motor Yacht A'.

They were using the vessel despite Mr Melnichenko having only recently upgraded to one of the largest private sailing yachts in the world - the £360million 'Sailing Yacht A'.

Scroll down for video  

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko (front, left) and his wife (front rigth) Aleksandra have been spotted holidaying in Italy aboard his £240million yacht

The 45-year-old, his wife Aleksandra and their child were seen on a spring vacation on the Italian Riviera coastline of Portofino having stepped off his luxury 390ft 'Motor Yacht A' (pictured)

 Pictures show Mr Melnichenko's distinctive motor yacht anchored off the coast and dwarfing other vessels nearby

Motor Yacht A's huge launch is pictured coming into shore at Portofino in northern Italy. Melnichenko has also upgraded to purchase a new superyacht

Mr Melnichenko, who has an estimated net worth of $13.4 billion (£10.8 billion), is said to favour using the letter 'A' so that his vessels are listed first in shipping registers. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Pictures show Mr Melnichenko's distinctive motor yacht anchored off the coast and dwarfing other vessels nearby. Another shot shows Mr Melnichenko and his Serbian model wife on the shore next to the vessel's luxurious launch. 

The 5,959-ton yacht was created by French designer Philippe Starck and is believed to have been fitted out with 1.7ins thick bomb-proof windows.

It is also said to have a helipad on the sixth of its eight decks and includes a disco with glass ceiling looking up into the swimming pool on the floor above.

It was thought that billionaire industrialist Andrey Melnichenko, who made his vast fortune with investments in coal, fertilisers and banking, had no need for Motor Yacht A (pictured on the River Thames) after replacing it with the grander Sailing Yacht A

The huge £240million vessel was spotted off the coast of Italy. It is pictured here on a previous voyage to the country's coastline in 2012

The vast Motor yacht A, which has eight decks, is pictured moored up on the River Thames during a visit to London in September 2016

Mr Melnichenko had the vessel custom-built so he and his wife Aleksandra can cross the world's oceans in luxury

Another shot shows Mr Melnichenko's Serbian model wife (left) on the shore next to the vessel's luxurious launch

The family was using the vessel despite Mr Melnichenko having only recently upgraded to one of the largest private sailing yachts in the world - the £360m 'Sailing Yacht A'

Mr Melnichenko (pictured, wearing sunglasses) recently upgraded to include a vast 468ft sailing superyacht complete with three 300ft masts taller than Big Ben's tower. It boasts eight floors, a helipad and an underwater observation room

The couple are understood to have met in the South of France - when Aleksandra - known as Sandra - was 28 and Andrey was 33 

The Russian billionaire has recently upgraded to the £360million 'Sailing Yacht A' (pictured) - but was not using the vessel in Italy

The cruise speed of Sailing Yacht A (pictured) is 18mph and its has a top speed of 24mph. The hull is made of steel, with a teak-finish deck

more videos

Bodybuilder influencer Liu Can drowns at popular tourist spot

Upsetting footage shows teen who was shot in the stomach at Omaha HS

Video shows drugged monkeys at Rio de Janeiro's Botanical Garden

Democratic lawmaker calls out AI-generated meme of Donald Trump

Melania believes there is more to husband's assassination attempt

Ohio resident says Haitian migrants are decapitating and eating ducks

Scary moment mama bear and her cubs circulate woman's front porch

Body cam video released of Tyreek Hill's arrest

Gisele Pelicot's appearances in court as rape trial grips the world

Kelly attacks Jennifer Aniston over 'childless cat lady' comments

Apocalyptic scenes as several wildfires ravage through California

'She wants to be direct': Jennie Bond reacts to Kate's intimate video

Mr Melnichenko recently upgraded to include a vast 468ft sailing superyacht complete with three 300ft masts taller than Big Ben's tower. It boasts eight floors, a helipad and an underwater observation room.

The cruise speed of the ship is 18mph and its has a top speed of 24mph. The hull is made of steel, with a teak-finish deck. 

The yacht has a high-tech digital control system operated using a touch sensitive sheet of black glass in the bridge.  

This will allow the crew to raise and lower the sails and even drop the anchor with a brush of their fingers.   

The 5,959-ton Motor Yacht A was created by French designer Philippe Starck and is believed to have been fitted out with 1.7ins thick bomb-proof windows

Mr Melnichenko recently upgraded to include a vast 468ft sailing superyacht complete with three 300ft masts taller than Big Ben's tower

Mr Melnichenko (front left) founded the fertiliser producer EuroChem, coal producer Suek, and power generator SGK

Mr Melnichenko was named as the 89th wealthiest person on the planet by Forbes and the ninth richest in Russia

The multi-billionaire already has one luxury home on the seas - the Motor Yacht A - but turned his turned his attention to sailing power earlier this year. He is pictured with his wife on holiday in Italy

Relaxed: Mr Melnichenko, (front left) was on a spring holiday with his Serbian model wife Aleksandra (pictured, right)

Spring vacation: The family was pictured preparing to board a launch believed to belong to Motor Yacht A

Princess Kate mirrors the late Queen driving in candid recovery video

Capital One Tower in Lake Charles imploded after hurricane damage

National Guard gives birds-eye view as water dumped on NV wildfire

RFK Jr's 'cringe' video with Amber Rose divides MAGA supporters

Shocking moment neurosurgeon survives small plane crash in Brazil

Gov. Chris Sununu saves choking contestant during NH eating contest

At the time it was reported that the yacht would continue to Cartagena in Spain where she was due to undergo further sea trials and joinery before being handed over to her new owner in the Spring.

As the boat made its way to Spain earlier this month, Mr Melnichenko's Project Director, Dirk Kloosterman said: 'This has been the most challenging assignment of my career. I am confident Sailing Yacht A will be the world's greatest yacht in terms of design and technology for the years ahead.

'Her beauty is breathtaking, and Philippe Starck's astonishing design and ultimate vision will be the subject of many conversations wherever she travels around the globe.' 

Mr Melnichenko founded the fertilizer producer EuroChem, coal producer Suek, and power generator SGK.

He was named as the 89th wealthiest person on the planet by Forbes and the ninth richest in Russia. 

Mr Melnichenko is said to have paid Jennifer Lopez $2 million to perform at his wife's lavish 30th birthday party at their English mansion in Ascot Read

Mr Melnichenko and wife Aleksandra prepare to board a boat on the Italian Riviera coastline of Portofino

Share or comment on this article: Russian billionaire holidays with family on £240m Yacht A

No one gets that rich legally or legitimately

Most watched News videos

• Shocking moment e-bike crooks steal man's mobile phone while filming
• Footage appears to show Ukrainian drone taking out Russian jet ski
• Cedar Key residents pick up the pieces after region smashed by Helene
• Moment man and his dog are rescued from boat during Hurricane Helene
• Resurfaced video from 2012 shows alleged horseshoe-shaped UFO
• Moment when Hurricane Helene floods burst into Tennessee man's home
• Tim Walz pledges middle class support as he fixes truck in campaign ad
• Drone captures severely flooded Asheville in North Carolina
• Donald Trump hurls worst slur yet at Kamala Harris ahead of election
• Cloud of smoke rises over Beirut and Khiam village after Israeli strikes
• Moped thug snatches phone in Croydon before being swiftly caught
• Satellite clip of Hurricane Helene as it leaves homes without power

Comments 215

Share what you think

• Worst rated

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

• Back to top

Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd

Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group