Ukraine may be close to “confiscating” an Antonov An-124 aircraft owned by Russian Volga-Dnepr that has been parked at Toronto Airport, Canada, since the start of the war in the country in February 2022.
The move is part of a new package of Canadian sanctions against Russia following a visit by the Ukrainian government to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Christa Freeland, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on April 16.
To a publication, Shmyhal commented: “New sanctions package against Russia from Canada. In particular, against the Volga-Dnieper company. Preparing to confiscate the aggressor’s An-124 aircraft and other assets in Canada and transfer them for the benefit of Ukraine.”
The An-124 with registration RA-82078 has been parked at Toronto Airport since February 27, 2022, due to restrictions applied by the Canadian government to Russian aircraft in response to the war. In June last year, the Canadian government ordered the seizure of the An-124 and said it could be handed over to Ukraine once seized.
The Russian government responded by calling Canada’s decision to seize the aircraft a “disgraceful theft.”
Volga-Dnepr reportedly sent a letter to Canadian authorities asking for an amicable resolution of the dispute, but threatened legal action if a settlement was not found. At the end of last year, Volga-Dnepr Airlines sued the Canadian government over the seizure of the aircraft.
