Putin’s Superyacht Departs the Baltic Sea Under Escort

The 80-meter yacht “Graceful,” linked to Vladimir Putin, has been spotted transiting the Great Belt and Skagen, heavily escorted by Russian military vessels and monitored by NATO naval forces.

Unusual Transit Under Naval Escort

According to DR, the yacht was spotted passing the Great Belt between Sunday and Monday (June 28-29) before moving past the island of Anholt and rounding the Skagen cape on Monday afternoon. Satellite imagery confirms the vessel is being escorted by two Russian naval units: a destroyer and a patrol ship.

The yacht’s AIS transmitter has been deactivated since August 30, 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Danish naval authorities confirmed that they routinely track foreign vessels passing through Denmark’s territorial waters, while German and Danish navy ships have been observed following the convoy.

Specifications and Ownership

Forbes has previously identified the “Graceful” as a private yacht belonging to Vladimir Putin. Valued at nearly $120 million, the vessel was primarily docked near St. Petersburg in recent years. It remains unclear who is currently on board or what the yacht’s final destination is.

Citing Business Insider, the newspaper “Berlingske” noted that plans for the yacht’s modernization were leaked in 2023 by associates of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. These documents detailed luxury features, including a helipad, an indoor pool, a sauna, and marble bathrooms.