The maritime saga surrounding Vladimir Putin’s opulent superyachts continues to unfold, as his second-largest vessel, formerly known as Graceful, resurfaces under a new name: Kosatka, meaning “killer whale” in Russian. The revelation, coupled with ongoing investigations into the murky ownership and financial entanglements of Putin’s maritime fleet, underscores the heightened scrutiny surrounding the Russian president’s lavish nautical assets.
The transformation of Graceful into Kosatka was recently documented off the coast of Estonia, where the $119 million, 267-foot superyacht was spotted accompanied by a Russian Coast Guard vessel. The clandestine rebranding raises questions about the motivations behind the name change and the vessel’s intended destination, amid mounting international pressure and sanctions targeting Putin’s maritime empire.
Kosatka’s journey traces back to its abrupt departure from the German port of Hamburg in February, just weeks before Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Following a five-month refit at Blohm+Voss shipyards, the superyacht made its way to Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave, before reemerging in Estonian waters. The vessel’s transponder, crucial for tracking its movements, has remained inactive since August, adding to the veil of secrecy surrounding its operations.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s decision to sanction Kosatka—formerly known as Graceful—on June 2 underscores the vessel’s significance in the broader context of Putin’s maritime assets. Alongside three other yachts linked to the Russian president, Kosatka’s inclusion on the sanctions list highlights the interconnected web of financial interests and geopolitical implications surrounding Putin’s maritime holdings.
Registered in Russia, Kosatka boasts luxurious amenities, including an indoor swimming pool-cum-theater, a helipad, and lavish suites for up to 12 guests. However, beneath the veneer of extravagance lies a tangled web of ownership and financial dealings, with investigative reports revealing ties to sanctioned entities and individuals.
According to yacht valuation experts and investigative journalism efforts, Kosatka—like other yachts linked to Putin—has been subject to scrutiny for its role in facilitating opaque financial transactions and serving as a symbol of the Russian president’s wealth and influence. Despite attempts to conceal its ownership and activities, Kosatka’s reappearance under a new name reignites calls for greater transparency and accountability in the maritime industry.
As Putin’s maritime fleet faces heightened scrutiny and sanctions, the saga of Kosatka epitomizes the complexities and controversies surrounding the intersection of luxury yachting, geopolitics, and financial transparency. With ongoing investigations shedding light on the shadowy world of offshore assets, the renaming of Kosatka serves as a stark reminder of the enduring quest for accountability in the realm of high-seas opulence.
