Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna has announced that Canada has begun legal action on confiscating a Russian An-124 Ruslan cargo aircraft, currently held under Canadian custody, for transfer to Kyiv.

In a post on Facebook, Stefanishyna detailed the development, calling it the result of a long-term effort by Ukrainian authorities in coordination with Canadian partners, per Caliber.Az.

“The confiscation of the Russian plane ‘Ruslan’ was one of my first goals in the first month of work at the Ministry of Justice. And so, the result of our team's work: Canada has begun the process of confiscation of the An-124 ‘Ruslan’ transport aircraft, which belongs to the Russian Volga-Dnieper airline, and was already under Canadian custody,” she wrote.

To illustrate the size of the aircraft, she added: “To understand the scale – An-124 ‘Ruslan’ in length is three quarters of the football field (about 69 metres), with wingspan even more. Its height is about a 7-storey building (21 metres).”

The confiscation is being carried out under the Canadian Special Economic Measures Act, and the case is currently before the Ontario High Court, the Ukrainian official said.

“This is another important step on the way to justice and the restoration of peace in Ukraine. The filing of the case about the confiscation of the plane to court is a joint result of the meticulous work of the employees of the Ministry of Justice, the Foreign Ministry, in close cooperation with our partners,” Stefanishyna said.

She emphasised the broader effects of the move, stating: “And this is a great example of how international law works in practice.”

“I am convinced, all actions lead to one: ‘Ruslan’ will soon have a new home – in Ukraine, where it will serve for the good of our state,” she declared.

Stefanishyna also expressed appreciation for Ottawa’s actions: “I am grateful to Canada for its unwavering support and decisive actions. Justice is not just words, but concrete steps we see today. And this is just the beginning.”

The confiscated An-124-100-150 aircraft was built in 1995 and was one of the 12 An-124-100 units operated by Volga-Dnepr Airlines, which played a significant role in international oversized cargo transport. Prior to its detention in Canada, this specific aircraft had been in flying condition until it was grounded and then officially seized at Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport following a Canadian order in June 2023 and has remained grounded since.

The aircraft was formally arrested under Canadian law, and following a ruling by Ukraine’s High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) in August 2023, which authorised the seizure of sanctioned assets, Canadian authorities proceeded with legal steps to transfer ownership.

By Khagan Isayev

Source: caliber.az