The US sells a Russian oligarch’s €260 million superyacht, and he fires back: “We will continue to fight until we recover the property.”

The US government has sold the 348-foot Russian superyacht Amadea, once owned by sanctioned oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, following a high-profile seizure and legal battle.

The luxury vessel Amadea, built by renowned German shipyard Lürssen—whose clientele includes billionaires like Sergey Brin and Barry Diller—was auctioned off by the US Marshals Service on September 10, 2025, after being seized in Fiji in 2022 as part of the Justice Department’s KleptoCapture initiative.

A floating palace worth hundreds of millions

Spanning six opulent decks, Amadea boasts a lavish array of amenities: a swimming pool, hot tub, helipad, two spas, and a private movie theater. Initially valued at $300 million, later appraisals placed its worth closer to $230 million.

The US government moved quickly to sell the yacht due to its staggering upkeep costs—nearly $1 million per month—which included crew salaries, fuel, insurance, and maintenance. These expenses were being covered by American taxpayers.

After the seizure, Russian billionaire Eduard Khudainatov claimed ownership of Amadea. However, a federal judge ruled earlier this year that Khudainatov was a “straw owner,” holding the yacht on behalf of another party, and had no legal standing to block its forfeiture.

This case echoes similar challenges faced in previous yacht auctions, such as the sale of the Alfa Nero by Antigua and Barbuda, which fetched less than expected due to legal entanglements and market hesitancy.

Navigational restrictions ahead

Despite its sale, Amadea’s new owner—whose identity and bid remain undisclosed—may face limitations on where the yacht can sail. Legal experts suggest the vessel might be restricted to US waters to avoid complications tied to international sanctions enforcement.

The Amadea saga underscores the complexities of sanction enforcement and asset recovery in the luxury maritime world, where billion-dollar vessels can become geopolitical chess pieces.

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