A superyacht that belongs to a Russian oligarch and former KBG agent has been stuck in Norway for over a month because suppliers are refusing to fuel it

• A yacht owned by Russian oligarch Vladimir Strzhalkovsky is stranded in Norway, as local oil suppliers have refused to refuel it.
• Russian oligarchs who have been sanctioned have fled to places like Dubai and the Maldives.
• Norway cannot seize the superyacht because Strzhalkovsky has not been sanctioned by the EU.

A superyacht owned by a Russian oligarch is stranded in Norway because local oil suppliers have refused to fuel the vessel, The New York Times reported.

The yacht, Ragnar, is owned by Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent and longtime associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The 68-meter (223-foot) custom service yacht has been stranded at the Port of Narvik since February 15, according to Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.

Norwegian fuel suppliers said they did not want to help entities associated with Russia, per NRK.

“Why should we help them?” Holmlund Oil Service’s general manager Sven Holmlund told NRK. “They can row home. Or use a sail,” he added.

Rob Lancaster, the yacht’s captain, told NRK Russian fishing boats could operate freely and buy fuel at Norwegian ports. He also referred to Norwegian authorities’ actions as discrimination.

“I understand that discrimination is prohibited in Norway. We are a western crew of 16 people on board. We have nothing to do with the owner of the boat,” the Brit told NRK.

“I understand that Russian fishing vessels account for 20% of the economy in northern Norway. It is to Norway’s advantage that they get to operate here,” he added.

After Russia began an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the European Union and other countries sanctioned multiple Russian oligarchs and members of President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle.

Strzhalkovsky has not been sanctioned by the EU, which prevents Norway from seizing the yacht, The Times reported. However, politicians have urged the EU to sanction more individuals with connections to the Russian state. 

Russian oligarchs who have been sanctioned have fled to places such as Dubai and the Maldives, where they won’t face extradition laws. In countries that are members of the EU, like Italy and France, millions of dollars worth of yachts, superyachts and villas have been seized.

“We are joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets. We are coming for your ill-begotten gains,” President Biden said at his State of the Union address in early March. Twitter accounts have been set up to track Russian jets and yachts. 

As of early March, sanctions have cost the Russian elite more than $80 billion, amounting to about a third of their collective wealth.