Russian propaganda spreads fake claim about 'queue' of Ukrainian officials ordering superyachts
Russian propaganda has launched another disinformation campaign claiming that Ukrainian officials are allegedly buying superyachts with Western aid funds. In particular, Russian propaganda media outlets and bots on X are circulating a video by American blogger and motivational speaker Steven Kuhn, who is also the owner of Take America Back Inc.
In the video, Kuhn claims – without providing any evidence – that the superyacht market (vessels over 24 meters in length) is allegedly "flooded" with orders from Ukrainian officials and that there is a four-year waiting list for such vessels. He further alleges that this is how funds from Western aid are being "laundered" in Ukraine.
The claim is false. Kuhn provides no evidence to support his statements, does not name any individuals who allegedly placed such orders, nor does he identify any shipyards that supposedly received them. His remarks repeat manipulative narratives about "systemic corruption" and the alleged embezzlement of aid – claims frequently used by the Kremlin to discredit Ukraine internationally.
Experts also note that allegations of yacht purchases funded by Western assistance contradict the strict multi-level oversight and auditing mechanisms applied to international aid to Ukraine by U.S. and EU inspection bodies.
Russian media present Steven Kuhn as an "authoritative American businessman," although he has no connection to the maritime transport or shipbuilding industries. In reality, he is a motivational speaker and runs Take America Back Inc., a company selling leadership books and online courses.
Although Kuhn is married to a Ukrainian woman, he regularly criticizes Ukraine's leadership and echoes Russian propaganda narratives in his online activity. The influencer claims that his wife's family allegedly also supports his criticism of Ukraine's leadership. On his X social media account, he regularly reposts content from Russian propaganda media outlets, including RT, spreads Russian narratives regarding the strike on a college in Starobilsk, and amplifies statements by the Russian Foreign Ministry that justify strikes on Ukrainian cities.
The superyacht market is one of the most transparent segments of the luxury industry. Large vessels are registered in international databases, and ownership and movement data are regularly tracked by investigative journalists and specialized media.
There is no credible evidence in open sources that Ukrainian officials are awaiting delivery of superyachts. The most notable publicly known case involving a superyacht is the vessel Luminance, linked to businessman Rinat Akhmetov, who is not a government official.
At the same time, Russia remains one of the world's largest owners of superyachts. According to the Monaco Yacht Show Market Report 2024, Russia ranks second globally after the United States in ownership of yachts over 40 meters. Among the world's 12 largest yachts, Eclipse and Dilbar are linked to Russian oligarchs Roman Abramovich and Alisher Usmanov, both of whom have ties to the Kremlin.
Investigative journalists have also linked the 140-meter yacht Scheherazade, valued at around $700 million, to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The vessel is currently under sanctions and has been seized in Italy.
This fabricated story is part of a systematic Russian information and psychological operation aimed at undermining trust in Ukraine among Western taxpayers, fueling political debate in the United States and Europe, and ultimately reducing financial and military support for Ukraine.
As Ukrinform previously reported, Russian propaganda recently spread a false claim that President Volodymyr Zelensky allegedly "bought" a $29 million house in New York.
By Andrii Olenin
