Russian Superyacht Seized in UK

MAR 29 2022·Updated MAR 30 2022

Story

Image credit: PA [via the Guardian]

The Facts

UK authorities detained a Russian superyacht in London on Tues., under the auspices of the current sanctions against Moscow. The £38M vessel, Phi, is believed to be owned by an unnamed Russian businessman.
guardian
Officers from the National Crime Agency said Phi's owner was "deliberately well hidden." The ship is registered to a company in Saint Kitts and Nevis but carries Maltese flags.
Newsweek
While the owner isn't on the sanctions list, the law doesn't require proof of close ties to the Putin regime. Being designated as a Russian national is enough to enforce the seizure under current guidelines.
guardian
The UK Dept. for Transport said it has its eyes on a number of other vessels with Russian ties and that it will continue to take serious action against anyone benefiting from Russian links.
Business Insider

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The only way to make Putin stop the war in Ukraine is to squeeze any Russian benefiting from links to Moscow. Britain's strong stance sends an example to the international community.

guardian

Narrative B

Economic sanctions might make life difficult, but they'll never work to thwart the invasion. The only thing that will work is more military assistance to the Ukrainian army.

American Thinker

Establishment-critical narrative

It's hypocritical to impose sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, but not on the US for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons, or on Israel for invading and annexing Arab lands.

Al Jazeera