After another four years of fitting out, it finally began shipyard sea trials in December 2023. these lasted for another two years

Russia has introduced a brand-new rescue vessel, the Voevoda, into service in the Baltic Sea. While officially designated for Russian maritime rescue, the ship is believed to have a dual role, serving as a presidential vessel and leading some to dub it "Putin's military yacht " although there are significant questions about the validity of this claim. The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade recently delivered the vessel "Voevoda" to the Baltic branch of the Maritime Rescue Service. This was reported by the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST) in Moscow. The vessel belongs to Project 23700 class Recent reports (January 2026) discuss whose interior design includes luxurious suites and recreational areas,  as it can operate in harsh weather conditions and under full military protection.

Delivered to the Baltic branch of the Marine Rescue Service 

It is noteworthy that the Voyevoda was delivered recently to the Baltic branch of the Marine Rescue Service (Morskaya Spasatelnaya Sluzhba in Russian) by Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. This was reported by the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategy and Technologies (CAST), a defense think tank that has been following the progress of the Voyevoda, which belongs to the Project 23700 class, drafted by the Severnoye Design Bureau. It was also confirmed by the ministry’s press service.

Russia’s Marine Rescue Service  passed through various identities

Russia’s Marine Rescue Service has passed through various identities in recent years, but its main responsibility continues to be rescuing people at sea, with a secondary mission of pollution control. The service’s fleet of approximately 80 vessels includes multi-purpose ships, rescue tugs, diving vessels, and auxiliaries.

The Project 23700 class

The Project 23700 class is a very large cutter, with a displacement of 7,500 metric tons, a length of 111 meters (364 feet), and a beam of 24 meters (79 feet). Its performance includes a speed of 22 knots and a range of 5,000 miles. The vessel can accommodate four small boats and two helicopters.

After another four years

It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued a contract for the construction of the vessel in December 2016. Its keel was laid at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad in April 2017. The contract stated that the vessel should be delivered in November 2019, but this deadline was repeatedly pushed back. In the event, the Voyevoda was only launched in November 2019. After another four years of fitting out, it finally began shipyard sea trials in December 2023. These lasted for another two years.

Support a wide range of maritime rescue operations

Officially, the Voyevoda is intended to carry out and support a wide range of maritime rescue operations, including outside of the Baltic Sea. According to the Marine Rescue Service, the vessel can transport, deploy, and supply search and rescue equipment, including the aforementioned small boats and helicopters.According to some reports, however, this is only half the story.

It is certain that one of Putin's main interests is his love of yachts, after the ,Scheherazade (yacht) which was sanctioned and is currently in Italy. but he has several yachts around his luxurious secret palace in  Gelendzhik on the Black Sea.

Victoria yacht

The newly discovered Victoria yacht is the latest addition to Putin's secret fleet. It measures 71 meters in length and is valued at approximately $50 million. It was built in the same shipyard (Sevmash) that built the Gersfel. Officially, it is registered under the name of a company belonging to billionaire Gennady Timchenko, a close friend of Putin, but its crew consists of employees who previously worked on Putin's other ships The yacht was spotted in Türkiye in late 2025 for maintenance, and it is said that Alina Kabaeva, who is linked to Biotin, uses it frequently.

The name Chaika means "seagull" in Russian.

This yacht is primarily used as a floating presidential office, where Putin has hosted numerous world leaders, including Belarusian President. Aleksandr Lukashenko Specifications: It is 54 meters long and is an official presidential yacht, usually docked in Sochi port.

Olympia YachtThe value is approximately $35 million.

Olympia Yacht One of the oldest yachts associated with Putin, reportedly a gift from businessman Roman Abramovich through a Cayman Islands company, it boasts classic luxury and high levels of security.

Chalset Yachtis always near Putin's palace in Gelendzhik and is believed to use it as an escort yacht or for short, quick trips between presidential resorts on the Black Sea coast. It is operated by companies linked to the Federal Protective Service.

#Chalset Yachtis  #Olympia Yacht # Scheherazade (yacht #Gelendzhik #Putin's military yacht #Voevoda #Victoria yacht  #Yantar Shipyard