Germany Seizes Russian Billionaire Alisher Usmanov's Superyacht Worth $600 Million: Report

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: The development comes two days after the Russian billionaire was sanctioned by the European Union following Russia's military offensive against Ukraine.

New Delhi: Germany has reportedly seized a superyacht, worth $600 million, belonging to Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov in a Hamburg shipyard, a report in Forbes said.

The development comes two days after the Russian billionaire was sanctioned by the European Union following Russia's military offensive against Ukraine.

The EU on Monday added top Kremlin-linked oligarchs and Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman to its sanctions list.

The 512-feet superyacht, named Dilbar, is regarded the largest motor yacht in the world by gross tonnage at 15,917 tons. Usmanov purchased Dilbar in 2016 from German shipbuilder Lurssen. According to the Forbes report, the yacht was built in over 52 months.

Dilbar reportedly has the largest swimming pool ever installed on a yacht as well as two helicopter pads, a sauna, a beauty salon, and a gym. Its plush interiors have more than 1,000 sofa cushions and it can host up to 24 people in 12 suites. It is manned by a crew of 96 people, the report said.

Apart from the superyacht, Usmanov has stakes in iron ore and steel giant Metalloinvest and consumer electronics firm Xiaomi. He was one of the earliest investors in Facebook along with fellow billionaire Yuri Milner.

The Forbes report said Usmanov owns luxurious real estate assets in the UK --Beechwood House in London and Sutton Place in Surrey, valued at a combined $280 million. He also has luxury homes in Munich, Lausanne, Monaco and Sardinia.

In 2018, Usmanov sold his 30 per cent stake in English soccer team Arsenal FC in 2018 for nearly $700 million in cash.

Besides Usmanov, Igor Sechin, chief executive of Russian energy giant Rosneft and close confidant of President Vladimir Putin, also felt the heat of sanctions on Thursday.

The French government has seized a superyacht owned by a company linked to Igor Sechin. The vessel, Amore Vero, was seized at a shipyard at La Ciotat, near Marseille, AFP quoted the French finance ministry as saying.

"French customs carried out the seizure of the yacht Amore Vero in La Ciotat as part of the implementation of sanctions by the European Union against Russia," a statement said.

The 280 feet yacht was made by Netherlands-based Oceanco and includes a swimming pool that turns into a helipad, as well multi-decks, including one with a jacuzzi.

The French Riviera coast has been a hotspot for ultra-wealthy Russians, with many spending their summers there on yachts or in luxury villas.

(With inputs from agencies)