Russian Oligarch’s $90M Yacht Seized by DOJ Order

‘Tango’ yacht owned by Viktor Vekselberg. Photo via Superyacht.

A 255-foot luxury yacht owned by sanctioned Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg was seized by Spanish authorities under a request from the Justice Department in the first seizure connected with Ukraine war sanctions.

The $90 million yacht, named The Tango, was expropriated under the DOJ’s “Operation Klepto,” aimed at Russian individuals closely associated with the Kremlin.

“Today marks our taskforce’s first seizure of an asset belonging to a sanctioned individual with close ties to the Russian regime. It will not be the last,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement Monday.

Photo by Aleshru via Wikipedia

“Together, with our international partners, we will do everything possible to hold accountable any individual whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue its unjust war.”

Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco added  that the “action makes clear that corrupt Russian oligarchs cannot evade sanctions to live a life of luxury as innocent Ukrainians are suffering.”

She said the seizure “delivers on our commitment to hold accountable those whose criminal activity strengthens the Russian government as it continues to wage its unjust war in Ukraine. That commitment is one we are not finished honoring.”

Authorities said the hacht was seized in Mallorca, Spain where it was berthed.

Vekselberg is a Ukrainian-born Russian  businessman with close Kremlin ties. According to Wikipedia.  He is the owner and president of Renova Group, a Russian conglomerate. According to Forbes, as of November 2021, his fortune is estimated at $9.3 billion, making him the 262nd richest person in the world.