Putin-Linked Superyacht 'Graceful' Sails Through Danish Waters Under Russian Navy Escort

On Monday, June 29, 2026, a Russian convoy carrying a superyacht widely linked to President Vladimir Putin transited Danish waters, drawing international attention. The 82-meter (269 ft) vessel, formerly named Graceful and now operating as Kosatka (Russian for "killer whale"), was escorted by a Russian destroyer and a patrol vessel through the Great Belt strait .

The Transit: What Happened and Who Monitored It

The yacht, valued at approximately $115 million (750 million Danish kroner) according to Forbes, sailed through the Great Belt strait starting the night of June 28 into June 29, 2026 . It was accompanied by a Russian destroyer and a patrol vessel, with the Danish Navy patrol ship P521 Freja providing escort through Danish territorial waters. The German Coast Guard also participated in monitoring the convoy .

Danish Defence Command described the escort as routine, stating it is standard practice to escort foreign state vessels passing through Danish straits and territorial waters . The convoy's final destination remained unknown at the time of reporting .

AIS Shutdown and Re-emergence

One of the most notable aspects of this transit is that it marks the yacht's first major re-emergence in international tracking systems since it switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder on August 30, 2022 — shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine . The yacht had rarely appeared in tracking data since then, making this transit a significant event for maritime observers.

Ownership and Background: The Kremlin's Denial

The Kremlin has never publicly acknowledged ownership of Graceful/Kosatka . Although legally owned by a Russian entity named JOINT STOCK COMPANY ARGUMENT — which is listed on the US Treasury sanctions list — international media have consistently linked the vessel to President Putin .

The superyacht was built by Blohm + Voss in 2014 and was originally spotted off the coast of Estonia in late 2022 after its renaming, traveling with a Russian Coast Guard escort .

Dossier Center and Navalny's Findings

In 2023, the Dossier Center (founded by Alexei Navalny's team) reported that the fleet linked to Putin could consist of up to 10 yachts and support vessels, including the megayacht Victoria and the boat Orion, which had not previously been publicly disclosed .

Additionally, Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation revealed in 2023 that Putin ordered the yacht moved from a Hamburg shipyard to the Russian semi-exclave of Kaliningrad three weeks before the invasion to avoid seizure under Western sanctions . The yacht had been undergoing a $32 million refurbishment at the time .

Key Specifications

The yacht measures 82 meters (269 ft) in length, features six decks, and can accommodate 12 guests and 14 crew members . Its interior reportedly includes a helipad, a pool that can convert into a dance floor, a wine cave, and gold-plated fixtures . The vessel is powered by MTU engines with a top speed of 18 knots .