Putin’s Yacht Urgently Heads to the Arctic

After a series of successful Ukrainian drone strikes

The superyacht Graceful, which Western media link to Russian dictator Vladimir PUTIN, is leaving European waters and heading to Murmansk, Russia. According to The Telegraph, the vessel is moving under heavy escort from Russian warships amid fears of new attacks by Ukrainian long-range drones.

Citing naval intelligence and satellite imagery, the outlet reports that the 82-meter yacht is sailing along the Norwegian coast, with its route monitored by NATO countries. The yacht is accompanied by the large anti-submarine ship Severomorsk and the patrol-rescue vessel Voivoda. Its deck has been covered with special anti-drone nets.

A NATO source told the publication that while passing through the Baltic Sea, the convoy was monitored by the German and Danish navies.

According to U.S. government documents, Putin has repeatedly used the Graceful, including during a Black Sea trip in 2021 with Belarusian leader Alexander LUKASHENKO. The Telegraph connects the yacht’s relocation to recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian naval facilities.

Last week, Ukrainian long-range drones attacked the Kronstadt base in the Gulf of Finland, reportedly damaging the corvette Boykiy. Satellite images also show a significant reduction in the number of ships in the harbor after the attacks.

Former UK defense attaché in Moscow John FOREMAN believes the Kremlin is trying to secure its costly assets: “They don’t want to take risks. They’re moving it away from the Ukrainians after they smashed Kronstadt.”

Naval expert Emma SALISBURY also notes that the yacht’s escort by warships reflects the Kremlin’s unwillingness to allow any incident with the vessel. The yacht’s value is estimated at over $130 million.

The publication adds that Putin has recently tightened security measures around himself. The Federal Protective Service, responsible for his and his family’s safety, has increased in size. Staff with direct access to the Kremlin leader are banned from using internet-enabled devices, and surveillance systems have been installed in staff residences.

Additionally, The Telegraph, citing a Radio Liberty investigation, reports that Putin’s Valdai residence is surrounded by numerous towers equipped with Pantsir air defense systems.

The outlet also notes that Graceful is the second yacht linked to Putin to leave European waters. Earlier, another luxury yacht, Victoria, reportedly tied to Putin’s inner circle, sailed to Bodrum, Turkey.

Credit: Frank Behling/Kieler Nachrichten.

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