Medvedev Buys UK-Made Yacht Despite Anti-Western Rhetoric

(Kazan) – Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, is facing scrutiny after reports emerged about his recent acquisition of a luxury yacht manufactured in the United Kingdom.

Medvedev, known for his strong anti-Western stance and sharp criticism of the UK, reportedly obtained the vessel through a foundation linked to his close associates.

The yacht, named Hurry Up, is valued at £3.5 million ($4.4 million) and was produced in 2024 by Princess Yachts, a prestigious shipbuilder based in Plymouth, England. According to an investigation by The Insider, the yacht was imported into Russia via the Foundation for the Support of National Maritime Programs, an organization allegedly connected to Medvedev’s financial network.

Documents reveal that the foundation facilitated the yacht’s import through a related company. This foundation, which claims to support maritime initiatives, is led by Dmitry Ustratov, an associate of Ilya Yeliseyev. Yeliseyev, a long-time confidant of Medvedev, is widely regarded as the overseer of his financial interests.

Despite receiving significant donations amounting to 2.3 billion rubles ($21.2 million) in 2023, the foundation’s philanthropic achievements appear limited. Its most notable project was reportedly the provision of kayaking equipment to a youth organization in Kherson, a region under Russian control in Ukraine.

Medvedev’s latest acquisition adds to his already impressive fleet of luxury yachts. Among them are the Italian-built GV, valued at £4 million, and the Universe, a 74-meter megayacht worth approximately £82 million. The Universe is equipped with a helipad and advanced secure communications systems and is said to be financed by Russian oligarch Igor Yusufov through an offshore entity based in the Cayman Islands.

The purchase of the British-made yacht is drawing attention not only for its extravagance but also for its apparent contradiction with Medvedev’s public rhetoric. He has repeatedly criticized the UK, labeling it a “perennial enemy” of Russia. In recent statements, Medvedev even suggested that Britain could be “wiped off the map” by Russian missiles, further intensifying his antagonistic stance.

Observers note that the acquisition highlights the complex and often hypocritical relationship between Russian elites and the Western luxuries they publicly denounce. Medvedev’s penchant for opulence, juxtaposed with his fiery anti-Western statements, continues to draw widespread criticism both within Russia and internationally.

Medvedev’s Known Luxury Yachts

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