Dinghy thwarts Russian billionaire’s $800 million yacht, stops it from docking

In true David vs Goliath style, a dinghy of Ukrainian protesters briefly caused a major headache for Roman Abramovich’s mega yacht.

Size doesn’t always matter.

Ukrainians have tried to stop Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s super yacht My Solaris from docking in Turkey in an anti-war protest.

The Sun reports the group was seen in a dinghy carrying its country’s yellow and blue flag with the words “No War” written on it.

The protesters were a team of young yachtsmen and women from the Black Sea city of Odessa, Nexta TV reports.

“You’re not welcome here. No to war in Ukraine. Go away Russian boat, go away!” they shouted.

They were briefly successful in thwarting the huge vessel — worth a reported $800 million — but their action ended when local police arrived and the yacht was able to dock in the port.

A group of #Ukrainian kids, members of a yachtsman club, tried to prevent Roman Abramovich’s yacht from docking in 🇹🇷 Bodrum. The yacht docked only with the help of police.#StandWithUkraine️#RussianOligarchs#putinswar#BanRussiapic.twitter.com/3e3rWqU1xU

— olexander scherba🇺🇦 (@olex_scherba) March 21, 2022

Abramovich, worth a cool $19 billion, was sanctioned by the UK government as part of attempts to crackdown on wealthy Russians with assets in the area.

Western nations are impounding assets with links to wealthy Russians as part of efforts to pressure President Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine.

Both of Abramovich’s yachts are now reportedly docked in Turkey — which has strong ties with Russia and Ukraine and has not joined sanctions targeting Moscow.

The oligarch’s 160m vessel Eclipse had earlier moored in the southwestern port of Marmaris, according to Turkish newspapers citing maritime traffic tracking sites.

My Solaris has 48 cabins, accommodating up to 36 passengers, and a crew of 60 plus and boasts two advanced engines to be the most powerful yacht in the world.

The super yacht features eight decks, as well as a helicopter pad, and was seen cruising the French Riviera last summer. It was built at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany and the shed it was constructed in was larger than Buckingham Palace.

Eclipse has its own missile defence system - should it come under attack. It also boasts a cinema, conference room, children’s playroom, hair salon, and a mini-submarine that can dive to 45m.

Eclipse is one might big yacht. (Photo by fatih Cetin / AFP)

The 55-year-old Abramovich, who bought the Chelsea football club in 2003, has denied claims that he purchased it on Putin’s orders, to expand Russia’s influence abroad in the early 2000s.

But he has been forced to cut ties with the Premier League giant and, adding salt to the wound, has been barred from profiting from its sale as he was disqualified as a club director by the Premier League.

As part of a raft of sanctions, Chelsea has been banned from signing players and renewing contracts, while severely limiting its revenue streams.

Chelsea’s shirt sponsor Three suspended their $70 million deal and Hyundai became the second sponsor to pause their relationship.

Western countries including the United States and the EU have imposed unprecedented sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including placing oligarchs and other individuals close to Putin on sanctions lists.

Yachts owned by Russia’s richest have been seized by various nations, as US President Joe Biden vowed that allies are “coming for your ill-begotten gains”.

Roman Abramovich has been hit hard by sanctions. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

With Tariq Tahir, The Sun