Canada to confiscate Russian An-124 Ruslan and hand it over to Ukraine
Canada has officially started the procedure to confiscate the Russian An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft of Volga-Dnepr Airlines, which has been in the country since 2022.
Here's What We Know
According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, Canada's decision was the result of systematic cooperation between the Ukrainian ministries of justice and foreign affairs and international partners. Stefanishyna emphasised that Ruslan will soon have a new home in Ukraine, where it will serve the country.
The confiscation was based on a decision of the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine in August 2023, which imposed sanctions on the aircraft. The AN-124 was officially seized in June 2023. Later, the then Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, confirmed his intention to transfer the aircraft to Ukraine.
A Russian An-124 from Volga-Dnepr. Illustration: Joe Pries
According to Stefanishyna, the confiscation is carried out in accordance with the Canadian law on special economic measures, and the final decision on this should be made by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. In addition to the aircraft, Canada plans to transfer other Volga-Dnepr assets to Ukraine.
In April 2022, the court arrested 12 An-124-100 transport aircraft of the Russian airline as part of criminal proceedings initiated at the request of the state-owned Antonov. Three aircraft were detained in Germany and one in Canada. The seizure was imposed to preserve material evidence and further compensation for damages.
Source: ZN
