Russian oligarch’s megayacht stranded
<p dir="ltr">A Russian oligarch’s superyacht is stranded in Norwegian waters after being denied fuel by local providers. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The <em>MY Ragnar</em> is reportedly owned by Russian oligarch Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, a former KGB agent who made his fortune in mining.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He also served as deputy minister under Russian President Vladimir Putin. </p>
<p dir="ltr">The 68metre vessel remains docked in Narvik, a fishing port in the north of Norway, and is not included in any of the sanctions imposed on the country. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Captain Rob Lancaster, a Briton, issued a statement about the discrimination from locals who refuse to fuel the yacht for “publicity”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“The yacht Ragnar has been unable to leave Norway due to discrimination from local fuel suppliers, who refuse to fuel Ragnar yacht,” Mr Lancaster wrote.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“We have had further discrimination from the Mayor of Narvik and the Norwegian government who agree it is OK to fuel the Russian fishing fleet and allow them to operate in Norwegian waters and ports unhindered as this makes up 20% of Northern Norway's economy. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“However, they are happy to discriminate against this yacht for publicity in the current climate.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“As a western crew, we are very disappointed by the double standards that certain factors of Norway have inflicted on the yacht and crew. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“On the other side, we would like to thank the port and the police for their ongoing support and understanding. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“These individuals have been the true and honest Norwegians that I, as captain, remember from my time as a royal marine in the late 80s and early 90s.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“The yacht and its ultimate beneficial owner are on no European or UK sanctions list, so we find the discrimination towards us extremely unjust.”</p>
<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Yacht Charter Fleet</em></p>
