At least 5 superyachts belonging to Russian billionaires are anchored in or cruising around the Maldives amid sweeping sanctions: report

According to ship- tracking data, at least five Russian billionaires' superyachts are moored in or cruising around the Maldives.

The arrival of the vessels in the area coincides with the sanctions against Russia. The Task Force KleptoCapture was launched by the US Justice department.

The US does not have a treaty with the island nation of the Maldives.

According to the shipping database MarineTraffic, the 238-foot Clio is one of the superyachts around the country. The vessel is owned by a man who founded Rusal. It was anchored off the capital of Male.

Vladimir Potanin's superyacht is cruising in waters off the Maldives.

Four of the biggest luxury yachts in the world are owned by Russians. The Ocean Victory is owned by steel magnate Viktor Rashnikov.

According to Superyacht News, Russians own up to 10% of all superyachts.

According to Forbes, Germany seized a superyacht owned by Alisher Usmanov, a Russian billionaire, on Wednesday. It is the first superyacht seized by a Russian tycoon since Russia invaded Ukraine.

The government of the Maldives did not reply immediately.