Scheherazade, a colossal superyacht, is believed to be the largest in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s personal fleet, although the official owner is Eduard Khudainatov. Constructed by Lurssen in 2020 at an estimated cost of $700 million, this extravagant vessel is rumored to be adorned with opulence to the extent that even the bathroom fixtures and screws are coated in genuine gold.
With a total length of 140 meters (459 feet), Scheherazade falls under the category of a megayacht. The seizure of this impressive yacht in Marina di Carrara in May 2022 by Italian authorities was expected to have a significant impact on Putin’s stance regarding the ongoing conflict. However, this turned out to be a false assumption. Despite the seizure, Scheherazade continued its operations relatively unhindered, with the only notable restriction being its inability to set sail.
Presently, the superyacht remains a hub of activity, as a partial refurbishment commenced shortly after the arrest. The management company managed to secure a waiver from sanctions, allowing the vessel to be initially dry-docked and subsequently returned to the water. The current focus of the crew on board is the extension of a beach club, which will increase the total length of Scheherazade to 142 meters (466 feet).
The effectiveness of the imposed sanctions in achieving their intended goals appears to be lacking, as evidenced by the ongoing activities surrounding Scheherazade. While the owner funds the refurbishment, the docking fees are being covered by the Italian taxpayers.
In an attempt to uncover the truth behind these circumstances, a team of journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty ventured closer to the megayacht. However, instead of obtaining valuable information or close-up footage, they were met with fire hoses and drone surveillance, as the crew on board were resolute in preventing any cameras from capturing the vessel.
At one point, the Italian Finance Police, who had seized the yacht, and the local police arrived on the scene following calls from the crew. After confirming the journalists’ right to film, the officers left without making any arrests.
According to the journalists, this incident strongly suggests that something suspicious is transpiring. The crew’s defensive behavior implies that there may be more than meets the eye. They reference a report from Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) in early 2022, which claimed that Scheherazade is manned by officers from the Federal Protective Service (FSO), the Presidential security agency.
If this information holds true, it would explain the crew’s desire to obstruct anyone from getting too close to the megayacht and capturing images. It would also account for the meticulous efforts to conceal any surfaces that could provide a glimpse into the vessel’s interior or ongoing work.
According to the Source autoevolution.com