The USA is conducting an auction for the superyacht Amadea valued at 325 million dollars

• The auction for the superyacht Amadea will close on September 10, 2025.
• The superyacht features eight cabins and luxurious amenities.
• The actual owner of the yacht remains under question due to a complex ownership structure.

The United States is conducting an auction for the superyacht Amadea, valued at 325 million dollars. This is the first sale of a confiscated Russian superyacht since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine.

The auction will close on September 10, 2025. This event occurs in the context of former President Donald Trump's call for a ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. The USA is collaborating with allies to enforce sanctions on Russian oligarchs who own confiscated superyachts.

The superyacht, measuring 106 meters in length, was confiscated three years ago and is currently located in San Diego. It was built by the German company Lürssen in 2017. The yacht's interior features large marble, eight guest cabins, a spa salon, a gym, and a helipad. It accommodates 16 guests and 36 crew members.

However, the question of the actual owner of Amadea remains unclear due to the opaque ownership structure. The yacht is registered in the Cayman Islands and belongs to Millemarin Investments Ltd., also registered in the Caymans.

The USA believes that the owner of the yacht is Suleiman Kerimov, a former Russian politician who was sanctioned in 2018 for alleged money laundering. In turn, Edward Khudainatov, a former CEO of the Rosneft company, denies this information. However, US prosecutors assert that Khudainatov is the beneficial owner of the yacht to hide the true owner.

A representative of Khudainatov stated that the planned sale is "unprecedented and premature," as Khudainatov contests the confiscation.

To participate in the auction, bidders must deposit 10 million euros, which is approximately equivalent to 11.6 million dollars. Over the past three years, the yacht has remained practically unmaintained.

Along with the new aid package to Ukraine, signed in April 2024, the USA has obtained the ability to confiscate Russian state assets in the USA and utilize them for the benefit of Ukraine.

Tags: USA/Politics