Read Authentic Ratings for the Voevoda

The Russian superyacht 'Kosatka', previously linked to President Vladimir Putin, has completed a significant journey from the Baltic Sea to Severomorsk, a strategic naval base in the Kola Bay. Following its departure last week, the vessel navigated north along the Norwegian coastline under the watchful eye of the anti-submarine destroyers 'Severomorsk' and 'Voevoda'. Previously, the yacht had been off the grid since August 2022. On June 29, the yacht reactivated its Automatic Identification System (AIS), revealing its presence in the Skagerrak waters, north of Denmark. At that time, it was listed as heading towards Istanbul under the guise of the name 'Graceful.' This name change to 'Kosatka' occurred after sanctions imposed by the United States in 2022 due to its association with the Russian leader. As the yacht transitioned into the North Sea, it charted a new course heading north, signaling a strategic maneuver amid rising tensions in the region. NATO forces closely monitored the convoy, as the decision to relocate was likely influenced by fears of Ukrainian aerial assaults targeting the yacht while docked in Kaliningrad or near St. Petersburg. Notably, Ukrainian drones have made recent attacks on critical Russian installations, including the naval base at Kronstadt and regional oil terminals. The convoy crossed the maritime border between Norway and Russia north of Varanger fjord during the night of July 4. Soon after, the 'Severomorsk' was seen anchoring near the main warship base of the Northern Fleet in Severomorsk. It is now widely believed that 'Kosatka' has reached the safety of Severomorsk or a nearby harbor, providing enhanced protection against the threat of drone strikes.

In a notable development from late June 2026, the movement of Russian naval assets was observed as the German and Danish navies increased their surveillance in response to multiple vessels departing from Kronstadt and Baltiysk. Among the fleet was the luxurious yacht 'Graceful' (IMO: 1011551), owned by President Vladimir Putin. This vessel made headlines in May 2021 during an important meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in the Black Sea. The 'Graceful', estimated to be worth around 100 million euros, was originally scheduled for a summer 2022 refit after returning to Hamburg in fall 2021. However, after leaving the shipyard on February 7, 2022, the yacht made its way to a shipyard in Kaliningrad just weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Since then, sightings of the yacht in the Baltic Sea have been infrequent. To ensure its safety, the 'Graceful' was protected by drone nets during a recent voyage, escorted by the newly commissioned rescue and salvage vessel 'Voevoda', alongside the destroyer 'Severomorsk'. As the convoy navigated the waters near Cape Arkona on the island of Rügen on June 28, it became evident they were charting a course for the North Sea, cruising at a cautious twelve knots. Despite the seemingly leisurely pace, the yacht's voyage was anything but a typical getaway for the Russian leader. All decks and surfaces were shrouded in netting for drone protection, and an array of anti-drone technology was visible atop the superstructure and mast. The retreat of such high-profile vessels from the Baltic region has been interpreted as a strategic response to Ukrainian drone attacks, particularly those coinciding with the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. On June 27, parallel movements of Russian submarines and landing crafts were recorded as they transitioned from the Baltic Sea through the Fehmarn Belt towards the Skagerrak, further indicating a calculated redistribution of assets deemed valuable to the Kremlin. German Federal Police, accompanied by the patrol ships 'Bamberg' and 'Bad Bramstedt', and the German Navy’s Kiel-based tender 'Rhein', provided protection during the vessels’ movement. By the morning of June 29, the 'Graceful' had navigated past the island of Anholt and was on a direct path toward Cape Skagen, with the Danish patrol vessel 'Freya-P521' offering additional escort support. This enhanced military presence reflects the readiness of Danish and German forces to monitor and respond to developments in their waters. For further details and visuals, check out these reports: [KN Online](https://www.kn-online.de/schleswig-holstein/luxusyacht-graceful-von-wladimir-putin-verlaesst-ostsee-flucht-vor-drohnen-der-ukraine-FCVDGOESCZCLNB377BLICT7KNY.html) and [PRM UA](https://prm.ua/en/putin-s-yacht-spotted-off-the-coast-of-denmark-under-guard-of-ships-photos-emerge/).

The United Shipbuilding Corporation has announced the delivery of the 'Voyevoda' to the Russian Marine Rescue Service (MORSPAS) after a lengthy nine-year construction period. This striking vessel features wraparound glass on its forward observation deck and boasts refined, curvilinear design elements. Among its luxurious offerings are eight residential suites and a maximum speed of 22 knots, raising speculation about its potential role as a semi-covert yacht for high-ranking officials, including President Vladimir Putin. Interestingly, 'Voyevoda' is distinctive within the agency, lacking any traditional workboat attributes such as an aft working deck, heavy-lift crane, or towing winch, which are typically essential for marine salvage and pollution response—key responsibilities of the division. Instead, this patrol ship is equipped to carry four response boats and two helicopters, with an impressive operating range of 5,000 nautical miles. The keel of the 'Voyevoda' was laid at the Yantar Baltic Shipyard in Kaliningrad in 2017, originally scheduled for delivery in 2019. However, the timeline was significantly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with its launch only occurring in late 2023. Comprehensive sea trials and additional work continued into 2024 and 2025, leading to the formal announcement of the ship's completion in December 2025.