Tourism in wartime has created a new kind of beach activity — tracking superyachts linked to Russian wealth.
These temples of conspicuous consumption, which got a huge boost in orders during the pandemic, are symbols of the new geopolitical order dominating soft-power travel hot spots like the French Riviera.
Boats linked to Russian oligarchs not known for their discretion have gone “dark” and sailed to friendlier shores like Dubai or Turkey, keen to escape the fate of over $30 billion sanctioned assets seized by governments looking to squeeze Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. Spain, Italy and France are among those impounding yachts;