Canada to transfer seized Russian aircraft to Ukraine
Canada has transferred a confiscated Russian An-124 "Ruslan" cargo aircraft to Ukraine. This decision results from international cooperation and sanctions imposed on Russia. The Ukrainian side has already commented.
Canada has started the process of confiscating the Russian cargo aircraft An-124 Ruslan, owned by Volga-Dnepr Airlines. Since 2022, this aircraft has been located in Canada, where it was detained at Toronto airport shortly after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began.
"Ruslan will find a new home in Ukraine"
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Olga Stefanishyna, emphasized that Canada's decision is the result of systematic cooperation between the Ukrainian Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs with international partners. “I am convinced that all actions lead to one goal: 'Ruslan' will soon find a new home in Ukraine, where it will serve our state,” Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister wrote on Facebook.
The confiscation was based on a ruling by Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court in August 2023, which provides for sanctions against the aircraft. The official detention of the An-124 was imposed in June 2023. The then-Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, expressed the intention to transfer the aircraft to Ukraine.
What else will Canada provide to Ukraine?
The confiscation is carried out in accordance with Canada's Special Economic Measures Act, and the final decision is to be made by the Superior Court of Ontario. It was previously reported that Canada will transfer the aircraft and other assets of Volga-Dnepr Airlines as part of new sanctions against Russian enterprises.
It's worth recalling that in April 2022, a court seized 12 An-124-100 cargo planes from the Russian airline as part of criminal proceedings initiated at the request of the state-owned company Antonov. Three An-124-100s were forbidden from leaving Germany, and one from Canada. The seizure aimed to secure material evidence and further compensation for losses.
Russian airline company issued certificates to itself
The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) illegally granted the right to a company from the Volga-Dnepr group to issue airworthiness certificates for "Ruslans." In fact, in recent years, the Russian airline company issued certificates to itself, which endangered the safe operation of the aircraft, violating the provisions of international conventions.
The aircraft will be handed over to the management of Ukraine's National Agency for Detection, Search, and Management of Assets Obtained from Corruption and Other Crimes.
