Overview
- Italy seized the 143‑meter Sailing Yacht A in March 2022 in the Gulf of Trieste under sanctions and holds it under the state assets agency’s custody.
- Maintenance, mooring, utilities, insurance and a staff of about 30 have pushed public spending to roughly €30 million, according to Trieste daily Il Piccolo.
- Authorities attribute the €530 million vessel to sanctioned oligarch Andrey Melnichenko, who denies ownership and cites a trust structure.
- Formal title is reported to sit with Bermuda‑registered Valla Yachts in a trust administered by a Swiss firm, which Italian and EU authorities say ultimately points to Melnichenko and his family.
- After a fresh challenge by Valla Yachts, the Lazio administrative court referred the case to the European Court of Justice, with a ruling expected in early 2026, and Italy intends to seek reimbursement of upkeep costs once the war ends.