Sanctioned Russian oligarch’s megayacht hides in a UAE creek

While much of the world has piled sanctions on Russian institutions and allies of President Vladimir Putin, the Emirates has not

The 387ft Motor Yacht A belonging to Russian oligarch Andrey Melnichenko is anchored in the port of Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (Kamran Jebreili/AP)

One of the world’s largest yachts has been seen sitting in a quiet port in the northern most sheikhdom of the United Arab Emirates – so far avoiding the fate of other luxury vessels linked to sanctioned Russian oligarchs.

The 387ft Motor Yacht A’s presence in a Ras al-Khaimah creek shows the UAE’s neutrality during Russia’s war on Ukraine as the Gulf country remains a target for Russian money and its oil-rich capital sees Moscow as a crucial OPEC partner.