Leaked PHOTOS: Orbán-close oligarch bought luxury superyacht from sanctioned Putin-billionaire?

Lőrinc Mészáros, nicknamed as PM Orbán’s cashier since he developed his wealth with the help of expensive state assignments and procurements, bought a new luxury yacht. However, it seems the former owner was a Russian oligarch unable to leave Russia because of the EU sanctions introduced after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

444.hu leaked some photos made of Lőrinc Mészáros and his family on board a newly-bought luxury yacht named ROSE D’OR (golden rose). The yacht popped up in Malta (Valetta) and Sicily (Taormina, Siracusa, Riposto) in 2023. On 31 July, it arrived in Napoli and departed later to Amalfi and Capri. A journalist of 444.hu, Dániel Németh, took some photos of Mr Mészáros, his wife and his son on board the yacht. You may check them out HERE.

The yacht is brand new. It was built in 2023, and the model’s name is 62STEEL. There are only three of them in the world. It is 62 metres long, and its highest speed is 18 knots (33.3 km/h). It has six cabins and can welcome 12 guests. The crew’s number is 13, with the captain. Its diesel tank is 130,000 litres and can do 5,000 nautical miles (9260 kms) with a full tank. Of course, filling it costs a lot. Its price in Hungary is HUF 83 million (EUR 214,703), but diesel prices will increase significantly tomorrow.

It has two Caterpillar 3512C motors with 2,400 horsepower. And, just like every other Mészáros-yachts (Lady Mrd, Seagull, Artemy) before, it was registered in Malta. Furthermore, there are two pools on board, a jacuzzi-like in the front and a bigger one. There are stores for jet skis, boats and other devices for water games. According to the Superyachtfan, it costs USD 75 million.

Here you may check out a video of the superyacht:

Putin-fan Russian billionaire behind the yacht?

The same site said the ship’s ownership structure was modified with the help of a Hungarian leasing company, Népszava wrote. Its former owner was Konstantin Strukov, a well-known and Putin-close Russian oligarch. Brussels sanctioned him after the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to the relevant Forbes lists, Mr Strukov is the 55th wealthiest in the world. Superyachtfan has not answered Népszava’s questions regarding the yacht. But the Hungarian news outlet believes the ship’s name ROSE D’OR (golden rose) may also refer to Strukov, who owns one of the greatest golden mines in Russia.

According to a British-American investigative new outlet, ruscrime.com, the Russian billionaire owned a ship named Rêve d’Or (golden dream) between 2011 and 2022. Strukov is one of the biggest financial supporters of Putin’s Unified Russia party.

HERE you may read about the TOP 10 richest Hungarians.