Biden says we’re gonna get those wealthy Russians that are helping Putin. As a result, the billionaires have been moving their yachts. Several were moved to the Maldives and Montenegro. The administration is using a variety of tools at its disposal, including crypto currency tracing to seize assets and prosecute those who violate sanctions. The President mentioned this in his State of the Union address.
Biden cutting off Russia
Task Force KleptoCapture is a new part of the Department of Justice. Biden declared, “The U.S. Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of Russian oligarchs. … We are coming for your ill-begotten gains.”
A variety of law enforcement officials coming from the FBI, Marshall’s Service, IRS, Postal Inspection, Homeland Security Investigations and Secret Service are a part of KleptoCapture and will go after the corruption. As Biden put it, they’ll go after “the crimes of Russian officials, government-aligned elites, and those who aid or conceal their unlawful conduct.”
The Deputy Attorney General
Will lead this task force. The Deputy AG Lisa Monaco warned, “Oligarchs be warned: we will use every tool to freeze and seize your criminal proceeds.”
Russia’s wealthy are moving their assets where they can. Several yachts were moved. The Maldives and Montenegro don’t have extradition treaties with the US so people can disappear.
Biden wants to punish
Those who have helped to fund the war. But the wealthy know where they can hide, maybe forever based on circumstances.
Vagit Alekperov, who is the President of the Russia-based Lukoil, has been spotted moving his yacht into Montenegro. He won’t be moving too far.
Biden can rattle his sword
To his heart’s content. The Russians know what to do. Alekperov’s yacht was seen docked near a yacht called the Trident in Montenegro, which is owned by the sanctioned Ukrainian billionaire Ihor Kolomoyskyy.
The State Department has identified Kolomoyskyy as somebody with “significant corruption”. Kolomoyskyy knows the game of deflection or playing both sides of that fence. He has suggested that the Ukraine should align with Russia more even as he financed the Ukrainian’s weapons to defend Crimea from the Russians in 2014.
Biden working with allies
Putin’s own yacht is headed for Kaliningrad, the only year round ice free port in the Baltic Sea. This task force is one of several steps Biden has taken to hold Russia accountable.
Attorney General Merrick Garland chimed in, “The Justice Department will use all of its authorities to seize the assets of individuals and entities who violate these sanctions. We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate, arrest and prosecute those whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue this unjust war.”
