Russian Elite's $70K Arctic Cruise Bypasses Schengen Sanctions
Luxury North Pole voyage for Putin-linked billionaires and celebrities departs from non-Schengen Svalbard amid Western sanctions.
Published on: June 19, 2025
Russian Billionaires Plan Lavish Arctic Expedition
A Moscow-based travel agency is organizing an ultra-exclusive $70,000 per person luxury cruise to the North Pole this August, exclusively for Russia's political and business elite. The voyage aboard French icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot will depart from Longyearbyen in Svalbard - strategically located outside the Schengen Area.
Who's On Board?
The passenger list reads like a who's who of Putin-aligned oligarchs and influencers:
- Dmitri Portnjagin - Social media mogul and cruise co-organizer
- Aleksei Frolov - Gazprom-linked billionaire
- Nikolai Vasilenko - Alcohol tycoon and internet personality
- Ksenia Borodina - Pro-Putin television personality
Schengen Sanctions Workaround
By departing from Svalbard (a Norwegian territory not part of Schengen), the organizers circumvent EU travel restrictions. The 15-day itinerary promises polar bear sightings, kayaking, and even a private concert by Russian rock band Leningrad.
Luxury in the Arctic
The Ponant-operated icebreaker features:
- Helipad and underwater lounge
- Michelin-starred dining
- Wellness center with Arctic-view sauna
- Daily motivational seminars
This voyage highlights how Russia's sanctioned elite continue accessing Western luxury experiences through carefully planned non-Schengen travel routes.