The President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, issued a stern appeal to the authorities during the commemoration of the Day of the Croatian Navy and the 35th anniversary of its establishment. He highlighted the long-standing neglect and lack of investment in the domestic fleet, pointing out that Croatia has received only two ships in the past 11 years: the Omiš, which set sail in 2019, and the Umag, which set sail last year.
"To call this insufficient is an understatement," Milanović stated. He added that it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain domestic shipbuilding, but that Croatia must make maximum efforts to resume building its own warships. He specifically addressed the standstill in the corvette procurement project, stating that in the last eight months, nothing has been discussed or done regarding it.
Milanović emphasized that complex military systems involve long-term commitments and financial requirements, yet he urged that discussions resume immediately and that the construction of these vessels on Croatian soil be made a priority. He also highlighted the broader strategic importance of naval forces. "A ship is not just a weapon; it is also an ambassador. It is visible, represents the state, and is part of our identity," he said.
He called on decision-makers and those managing the state budget to move from words to action and begin implementing strategic projects that have long been sitting on paper. "All of this is in documents adopted by the highest bodies of the Croatian state. It is binding. I hope we will enter a process that is complete, meaningful, and brought to a successful conclusion, as serious people do," concluded Milanović.
At the central ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of the Croatian Navy in the split military barracks, with the presence of the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Zoran Milanović, awards were presented and promotions were made to deserving members of the Croatian Navy. The attention of observers and the media was drawn to an unusual detail in the background of the official photographs from the event: the $200 million mega-yacht Royal Romance, which has been moored in the Lora military port for years.
The Royal Romance is a 92-metre-long yacht that has been moored in Split since July 2024, having been moved from Trogir. The measures restricting the disposal of the asset were applied to the yacht in accordance with the Croatian Law on Restrictive Measures. The story of the yacht in Croatia began in March 2022, immediately after the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Royal Romance was first spotted moored in the port of Rijeka, where it quickly became the target of public outrage and Ukrainian refugees' protests. Social media saw calls for the burning of the vessel and the throwing of Molotov cocktails, raising questions about the safety of the Croatian crew and the vessel itself.
The then-commander of the yacht, Croatian Bubica Šarić, claimed that the vessel had been sold in March 2021 and was no longer in the ownership of the Ukrainian businessman and pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvedchuk. Medvedchuk, who founded the Kyiv law firm, is a member of the influential business group 'Kyiv Seven' and is in close personal and business relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Medvedchuk fled from house arrest in Ukraine, where he was facing charges of treason. The yacht was initially blocked at the request of the Ukrainian authorities, who planned to sell it to fund the country's defence with the proceeds of approximately $200 million.
Following more than two years of blockade in Trogir and subsequent relocation to Split, the legal representatives of Russian businessman Aleksey Inkin and his company Lania Holdings were activated. Inkin and Lania Holdings claim that Medvedchuk sold the yacht to Inkin in March 2021, prior to the imposition of sanctions, and that the restrictions imposed by the European Union on Medvedchuk do not apply to Inkin. Legal proceedings were initiated in Croatian courts seeking the return of the yacht and compensation of €35 million. The government's Standing Group for the Implementation and Monitoring of Restrictive Measures rejected these claims. It is considered that the company Lania Holdings is merely a front for Medvedchuk. The Split County Court, on 30 June 2024, annulled the interim measure for the Royal Romance, thereby halting the sale, with the fate of the vessel remaining suspended pending the outcome of the complex legal disputes.
