The 82-metre Blohm & Voss superyacht Graceful, also known as Kosatka, has reappeared on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) after almost four years of operating without publicly broadcasting her position.
The yacht, widely reported by multiple international media outlets to be linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was recently spotted transiting the Baltic Sea and passing through Danish waters. During her voyage, she was reportedly accompanied by two Russian naval vessels, while the Danish Navy monitored the transit with patrol vessel P521 Freja, in line with standard procedures for foreign state-related vessels navigating Danish straits.
According to AIS data, Graceful is currently displaying Istanbul, Türkiye, as her destination, although her final route remains unconfirmed.
A Unique Superyacht
Delivered in 2014, Graceful was built by Blohm & Voss in Germany after construction originally began at Russia’s Sevmash shipyard. The yacht features exterior and interior design by H2 Yacht Design and naval architecture by AGAT Design Bureau.
Measuring 82 metres, she accommodates up to 12 guests in six cabins and offers a range of standout amenities, including a duplex owner’s suite, a helicopter deck, and an innovative indoor swimming pool with a movable illuminated floor that can transform into an entertainment space.
Long Linked to Vladimir Putin
Although no official ownership records publicly identify Vladimir Putin as the owner, Graceful has been repeatedly linked to the Russian president by numerous international investigations and media reports. The yacht sails under the Russian flag and has been associated with Russian maritime management companies connected to PAO Sovcomflot.
Disappearance After 2022
The yacht entered a refit at the former Blohm & Voss facilities in Hamburg in late 2021 but departed Germany in early February 2022, shortly before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Several reports suggested the yacht left before the refit was completed amid concerns over potential sanctions.
After August 2022, Graceful disappeared from publicly available AIS tracking, making her recent reappearance particularly notable.
The yacht has also been referred to as Kosatka (“Killer Whale” in Russian), although no official documentation has confirmed a permanent name change. Recent photographs do not clearly display her name, leaving the question unresolved.
With her AIS signal active once again, Graceful has returned to public view after one of the longest periods of silence for a yacht of her profile, while her ultimate destination and future movements remain closely watched.
