US imposes sanctions on 89m NIRVANA

Adding to the growing list of sanctioned yachts, the US has officially sanctioned the Russian-owned 89m (291.99ft) superyacht NIRVANA.

Owned by Vladimir Potanin, the sanction of the striking superyacht built by Oceanco is another blow to Russia's wealthiest person as all other assets have already been frozen.

Announcing stricter measures against those with connections to Vladimir Putin, the U.S. State and Treasury Department's toughened stance against the Ukraine and Russia crisis has resulted in not only NIRVANA being sanctioned but also Potanin's private investment company called Interros and Rosbank commercial bank. 

Superyacht NIRVANA underway, surrounded by sea, heading towards the horizon.

Making his money through various funnels including his 33% ownership of Norilsk Nickel, a nickel palladium mining firm, Potanin's superyacht NIRVANA was delivered in 2012 and is now, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, one of 91 Russian-owned yachts or superyachts on the US sanctions list.

Currently docked in Dubai, NIRVANA is officially tagged as "blocked property" and cannot be used until either she is released by US authorities or she is auctioned off to a new buyer.

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