Dmitry Medvedev

Russian President Medvedev Buys $42 Million Megayacht

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has spent $42 million on a secondhand superyacht complete with whirlpool baths, an artificial waterfall and a cinema. The 177 foot-long explorer-style Sirius (above), above, was built in 2009 and has accommodations for 12 guests in six staterooms along with 12 crew. The Kremlin bought the yacht from Turkey's Proteksan-Turquoise shipyard as a replacement for the current presidential yacht, which is due to be decommissioned, the London Telegraph reports. The craft's other luxury features include a deck Jacuzzi for 6, spacious sunbathing areas, a gym, a sheltered lounge area and an alfresco dining area for 14 with barbecue and bar. Ironically, Medvedev has been critical of Russians flaunting their wealth.

Sirius can reach a maximum speed of 18 knots, powered by twin Caterpillar 3512B diesel engines, each rated for 1,911 horsepower. Her range is 5000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots, making a transatlantic trip possible. Kremlin spokesman Viktor Khrenikov was quoted in the Russian press to the effect that the yacht will be given a presidential upgrade at an unspecified cost, no doubt with some Abramovich-style security features as well. "Everything necessary for a president for work and relaxation has been thought of," Khrenikov says, noting, "The president could use her during the 2014 Olympics [in the Black Sea port of Sochi]."

Gallery: Dmitry Medvedev's Superyacht 'Sirius'

Tags: Dmitry Medvedev, Kremlin, politician, politics, Russia, superyacht, yacht, yachtspotting

Moscow Plans Vodka Selling Changes To Curb Drinking

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Moscow's drinkers will have to remember to buy their vodka early come September. Starting next month it will be illegal for Moscow's supermarkets, shops and kiosks to sell alcohol with more than 15 percent alcohol content from 10pm to 10am. Beer, wine and lighter alcohols can still be sold and bars can still serve whatever they want around the clock. This is just the latest move to try and curb excessive drinking, other moves have included setting a minimum price for vodka and reducing the legal limit of alcohol in the blood allowed for drivers.

This is Russia's strictest stance on drinking since 1985 when President Gorbachev made it so that vodka could only be sold from two in the afternoon to seven at night. That decision was disastrous causing nationwide panic and deaths when people drank other hazardous substances like perfume to get their hands on some alcohol. Current President Dmitry Medvedev has called Russia's drinking problem "a national disaster."

Tags: Dmitry Medvedev, moscow, vodka

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Seen Wearing Breguet Moon Phase Power Reserve Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

In Russian politics, I've seen a trend sometimes that seems to translate into "with great responsibility comes great humility." Russian leaders are expected to connect well with the people. Current elected Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is generally well liked and considered more liberal than his friend and predecessor Vladimir Putin (according to Wikipedia). Interestingly enough, the same source reports that Medevdev earned an income of $80,000 in 2007 with a similar amount of money in savings. How is it then that he is seen in this picture wearing a watch valued at around $30,000?

Looking at a blown up image of the picture, I've detected that Medvedev is wearing a Breguet Moon Phase Power Reserve Ref. 3137BR /11/ 986. While his taste is good, it begs the question where the watch (or funds for it) came from. This particular Breguet model is based on a classic pocket watch dial design from Breguet. It features an automatic wound Breguet caliber 502DR movement with the hours, minutes, moon phase, and a power reserve indicator (no seconds). The watch case is about 36mm wide available in yellow or white 18k gold. Typical of all Breguet watch the dial features rich guilloche engraving while the gold rotor seen through the sapphire caseback is engraved beautifully with decorations fit for a king, I mean president.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Dmitry Medvedev Breguet Moon Phase watch and images

Breguet Moon Phase Power Reserve Ref. ref. 3137BR /11/ 986

Tags: breguet, dmitry medvedev, DmitryMedvedev, moon phase, MoonPhase, russian president, RussianPresident, timepiece, watch, wrist

Russia's President Cracks Down On Luxury Trips

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

U.S. government and business officials aren't the only ones facing scrutiny over lavish trips. Russia's president Dmitry Medvedev has warned senior officials to stay out of the international spotlight. He issued a document telling his administration members and key ministers to tell him where they are going away for vacation. The new rules came down after newspapers showcased high-profile Russian officials partying it up in the luxurious French ski resort of Courchevel. Medvedev is worried that this type of display is bad for the country's image and could upset the people who have lost their jobs as Russia is experiencing similar economic pressures to the ones we have here in the States.

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Tags: courchevel, dmitry medvedev, dmitrymedvedev, russia