Russia smuggles Boeing engines as technical crises mount PHOTO

Six aircraft engines for Boeing planes have reportedly been imported into Russia from Asian countries, circumventing Western sanctions, according to a Russian media outlet.

The move comes amid an increase in emergency incidents linked to technical failures on US-made aircraft operating in Russia, Caliber.Az reports.

One of the airlines to reportedly secure the engines is Azur Air. In January, a Boeing 757 from the carrier was forced to make two emergency landings — in Lanzhou, China, and Hanoi, Vietnam — due to technical issues.

The recent developments have prompted several Russian carriers to explore the use of domestically produced aircraft, including the Tu-204 and Tu-214 models. S7 Airlines has already expressed interest, signing a memorandum of understanding with the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to acquire medium-range Tu-214 jets.

Russian airlines have previously faced strict restrictions on the supply of aircraft parts from the US and EU. In 2024 alone, more than 150 technical incidents involving foreign aircraft were reported, highlighting the growing operational challenges for carriers reliant on Western-made planes.

By Aghakazim Guliyev