Laura Shaughnessy is the former managing editor at Dockwalk.
Chief Engineer Taras Ostapchuk, a 55-year-old Ukrainian national, attempted to sink the 48-meter M/Y Lady Anastasia on February 26 while she was moored at Port Adriano in Mallorca. The yacht’s reported owner, Alexander Mikheev, is reportedly the CEO of Russian military weapons manufacturer Rosoboronexport.
The chief engineer reportedly has worked aboard the superyacht for a decade, according to local media outlet Ultimate Hora. Ostapchuk opened several valves in the engine room, which caused a leak, before telling his fellow crew to abandon the vessel. Ostapchuk was arrested by the Calvià Civil Guard on Saturday and was released on bail after his appearance in court. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
The chief engineer was quoted in the local media as saying he took full responsibility for his actions, and was also quoted telling police, “I don’t regret anything I’ve done and I would do it again,” when he was arrested, adding, “My boss is a criminal who sells weapons that kill the Ukrainian people.” Ostapchuk reportedly plans to fly home to fight in Ukraine.
Lady Anastasia was designed by Donald Starkey and built by Sensation Yachts in New Zealand. She was delivered in 2001 under the name Aria.
According to Global Conflict Tracker, there have been more than 50,000 casualties in Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a full-scale invasion on February 24, as well as 1.5 million internally displaced persons and 280 miles of front line.