by Russian superyachts worth $325 million are up for auction in the United States. Donald Trump wants to put more pressure on Putin to stop Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
The sale ends on September 10. In an effort to pressure Russian oligarchs—some of whom are close to Putin and have had their boats seized—to halt the conflict, the United States has stated that it is collaborating with allies.
The Amadea, which was taken three years ago and is now anchored in San Diego, can accommodate sixteen guests and thirty-six crew members. It also includes a swimming pool and helipad.
Investigating a convoluted web of trusts and dummy corporations has been necessary to ascertain its true ownership.
Through a straw owner, Eduard Khudainatov, who oversaw the state-controlled Russian oil and gas company Rosneft, the U.S. claims that it is owned by sanctioned former Russian politician Suleiman Kerimov, who was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 for alleged money laundering.
Adam Ford, a Khudainatov spokesman, said in an email statement on Wednesday that the planned sale is inappropriate and will subject any buyer to years of expensive, unpredictable litigation.
Since being seized by the National Maritime Services in 2022, the vessel has remained essentially undisturbed. In order to be considered for a sealed offer, bidders must deposit 10 million euros, or around $11.6 million.
Ford said Khudainatov would go after any proceeds.
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After we win in court, we will seek the sale revenues and any difference from fair market value if the government continues to push forward only to stop the growing expenses it is placing on the American taxpayer, Ford stated.
The United States was able to confiscate Russian state assets situated in the United States and use them to support Kyiv, which was attacked by Russia in February 2022, as part of a U.S. aid package for Ukraine that was passed into law in May 2024.
