U.K. Seizes Russian Superyacht as 'Warning to Putin and His Cronies'
NewsweekSep 09, 2022
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.