At least six superyachts linked to UK-sanctioned billionaires have “gone dark” on ocean tracking systems, according to an investigation published this weekend by the Observer.

According to The Guardian, the owners of these ships will almost likely recognise they are being targeted in a global quest for the assets of Russia’s super-rich.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, at least 13 such vessels with a total value of over GBP 2 billion have been seized from southern France to Fiji. The superyacht Amadea, allegedly linked to gold billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, was confiscated on behalf of the US in the latter case.

According to analysts, the number of Russian-linked yachts turning off the automated identification system (AIS) equipment needed to detect large vessels is on the rise. Although the technology can be switched off for good reason, analysts believe that some vessels want to avoid being detected.

“We were told to turn off the AIS,” a member of crew aboard a superyacht linked to a Russian oligarch sanctioned by the UK told the Observer last week. We took out the power plug by unscrewing the screws and pulling it out.”

Other superyachts that have “gone dark” for more than a month, according to AIS data maintained by the marine and aviation market intelligence business VesselsValue, include:

After the invasion, the 72-meter superyacht Clio, owned by oligarch Oleg Deripaska, sailed from the Indian Ocean to Turkey. On the 18th of April, it was last seen in the Black Sea, close to the Russian cities of Sochi and Novorossiysk.

The oligarch Vagit Alekperov, the sanctioned former president of Lukoil, is related to the 70-meter Galactica Super Nova. The vessel’s last known position was off the coast of Croatia on March 2nd.

The 140-meter Ocean Victory, which is tied to sanctioned oligarch Viktor Rashnikov and was last seen at anchor in the Maldives on March 1, last broadcast its whereabouts.