Canada to transfer confiscated Russian aircraft to Ukraine

Canada will transfer to Ukraine the An-124 Ruslan aircraft confiscated from the Russians.

This was announced by Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal on April 16, reports Defense Industry of Ukraine.

Shmyhal said that this will happen as part of Canada’s new sanctions against Russian enterprises.

In addition to the aircraft, Canada will transfer other assets of the Russian company Volga-Dnepr in favour of Ukraine.

“A new package of sanctions against Russia from Canada. In particular, against the Volga-Dnepr. We are preparing to confiscate the An-124 aircraft and other assets of the aggressor in Canada and transfer them to Ukraine,” the Prime Minister said.

Last year, Ukraine initiated the arrest of Volga-Dnepr’s An-124 aircraft.

In April 2022, the court arrested 12 An-124-100 transport aircraft of the Russian airline as part of a criminal proceeding opened at the request of the Antonov State Enterprise.

According to the decisions, three An-124-100 aircraft were banned from leaving Germany, one from Canada.

The arrest was made in order to ensure the preservation of physical evidence and subsequent compensation for damages.

The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) illegally granted the right to the company, which is part of the Volga-Dnepr group of companies, to issue airworthiness certificates for An-124 aircraft.