Mystery as Russian oligarch’s superyacht VANISHES from radar as Putin’s cronies are hit with sanctions over Ukraine

A SUPERYACHT owned by a Russian oligarch has mysteriously vanished from radar as the West cracks down on Vladimir Putin’s cronies with sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine. The £60million Galactica Super Nova – owned by Lukoil CEO Vagit Alekperov – appears to have turned off its tracking system after plush vessels belonging to other Russian tycoons were seized or frozen. Heesen YachtsThe Galactica Super Nova yacht appears to have dropped off the radar[/caption] APIt belongs to Putin’s pal, Vagit Alekperov[/caption] On March 1, the 230ft yacht arrived in Tivat, Montenegro, after sailing from Barcelona. But just one day later, data from the yacht-tracking group MarineTraffic shows the Galactica departed. Soon after leaving, the boat’s automatic tracking system stopped sending signals, according to the site, and the boat has yet to update its location. Turning off tracking systems violates international maritime regulations as it is a legal requirement for all yachts of such size to have their AIS on “at all times”. Read more on the Ukraine war Sam Tucker, head of superyachts at VesselsValue, said the team has not received signal from the yacht. He told the Daily Beast: “For the past 12 months, we have had a very reliable signal coming from this vessel, so after seeing it (leave) Porto Montenegro, we are very surprised that there has been no signal received from either our satellites or ground stations.” And marine lawyer Duncan Bateson told the outlet it was likely that “if captains of Russian-linked boats are turning off their AIS tracker, then it’s because they’re trying to evade being tracked.” It comes as other Russian oligarchs appear to be moving their plush superyachts to safe havens around the world as the West tightens sanctions as the war in Ukraine rages on. Most read in The Sun EVIL UPON EVIL Girl, 6, among three killed in ‘genocidal’ airstrike on maternity hospital UN-FARE Ryanair cancels thousands of flights to top European summer holiday destination DARING DEM Love Island's Demi Jones wows in VERY revealing jumpsuit amid split rumours 'I am perfectly happy the way I am' Love Island's Millie Court denies she's pregnant SEA IT TO BELIEVE IT Katie Price reveals her biggest EVER boob job on a boat in Thailand 'SO LOVED' EastEnders star Jessie Wallace becomes a grandma at 50 as daughter gives birth Russian billionaires appear to be fleeing for the exit to escape potential asset seizures. The West has hit companies and oligarchs at the heart of Putin’s brutal regime with sanctions worth billions of pounds, asset freezes and travel bans. Last week, data from Marine Traffic revealed at least four yachts owned by Russian tycoons were cruising around the Seychelles, Montenegro and the Maldives, just as multiple sanctions were slapped on their homeland. And private security teams have been hired by Russians billionaires who are worried about their superyachts in Majorca being targeted after the invasion of Ukraine. But a teen who tracked Elon Musk’s jets has confirmed he is now exposing Russian oligarchs’ superyachts as they attempt to flee to “safe havens.” Tech wonderkid Jack Sweeney made waves when he began tracking the Tesla Owner’s private plane in January – but is now using his refined skills to hone in on new targets. Russia has been accused of bombing a maternity hospital – killing three including a girl, 6 – as its bloody campaign continuesRoman Abramovich has been sanctioned – banning him from selling Chelsea FCThe club is now in limbo – with a transfer ban and being left unable to offer new deals to their playersUS officials warned Putin could unleash biological weapons as Kharkiv came under siegeRussia has already been accused of using thermobaric “vacuum bombs” that can rupture people’s lungsCities in Ukraine have been reduced to harrowing apocalyptic hellscapes under Putin’s merciless bombingA heartbroken Ukrainian dad pleaded “forgive me” as his entire family was wiped out by Russian strikesEurope’s biggest nuclear plant has had its warning systems shut down after being taken over by the Russians Some yachts, however, have since been seized thanks to the aid of EU approved sanctions – a week after France began drawing up a list of Russian owned properties. Last week, the Sun reported that a superyacht belonging to Putin ally Igor Sechin had been seized by French authorities. They announced that the mammoth vessel, nicknamed “Amore Vero”, or True Love, was being held in the port of La Ciotat. It came after Alisher Usmanov had his £600million luxury vessel – thought to be largest yacht in the world in terms of internal volume – taken away by German authorities. Usmanov had already been slapped with an EU travel ban and had his assets frozen as part of the tough EU sanctions. Russia’s richest man, Alexei Mordashov, was the next to fall after his £45 million ship was seized by Italian cops at the northern harbour of Imperia. The steel billionaire was believed to be in the Seychelles this week after reportedly sailing from the Maldives. Read More on The Sun Meanwhile, a mysterious superyacht worth £532million has been swarmed by Italian officials amid rumours it belongs to Putin. Authorities are demanding proof of ownership of the luxury vessel, Scheherazade, as they probe whether to seize it under sanctions imposed against Russia.