Ukrainian sailor arrested for attempting to sink Russian boss' yacht in Majorca

The Civil Guard arrested a Ukrainian sailor on Saturday for attempting to sink a yacht owned by the head of a Russian state arms firm in the Mallorcan municipality of Calviá, apparently in retaliation for the Kremlin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Ultima Hora reported.

The 157ft yacht, named Lady Anastasia, reportedly belongs to Alexander Mikeev, the CEO of Russian weapons manufacturer Rosoboronexport – a company which has helped supply Putin’s armed forces.

The 55-year-old Ukrainian sailor, identified as Taras Ostapchuk, had worked aboard the Lady Anastasia for 10 years and says he felt moved after watching Russian missiles hit a residential building in Kyiv. Standing before a Majorcan court on Sunday, he went as far as telling the judge that he doesn't regret his actions and that he "would do it again."

"I watched the news about the war. There was a video of a helicopter attack on a building in Kyiv. The armaments used are produced by the yacht owner's company. They were attacking innocents," he told the judge, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

Ostapchuk was arrested by Civil Guard officers on Saturday after he allegedly opened various valves aboard the yacht in an attempt to flood and sink her. Although the vessel did not ultimately sink, it did suffer severe damage to its engine room.

On Monday, after being released on bail, Ostapchuk left Majorca bound for Ukraine where he intends to take up arms against the Russian invaders, Ultima Hora reported.