Revealed: how Roman Abramovich dodged taxes on cost of running his fleet of superyachts

While Abramovich lavished money on enjoying the high life onboard his boats, he appears to have been less forthcoming when it came to paying tax on their expenses. Composite: Guardian Design/Universal Images Group/Getty Images/AP/Alamy/WireImage/UEFA/Getty Images

When it came to his fleet of superyachts, the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was nothing if not generous.

As 2011 drew to a close, his biggest boat yet – the 162-metre (533ft) Eclipse – lay moored in the glittering waters of St Barts, the picturesque Caribbean island where billionaires like to gather to see in the new year.