Canada Seizes Volga-Dnepr Cargo Plane to Provide to Ukraine Amidst Tension with Russia

KYIV – The Canadian government has confirmed that it has seized the cargo plane Antonov-124 belonging to the Volga-Dnepr airline Russia. The hijacked aircraft will be given to Ukraine.

The announcement comes amidst Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s unannounced visit to Kyiv on Saturday.

“This seizure of critical assets is the first step of the Government of Canada’s action under the confiscation of assets and is designed to place additional pressure on Russia,” the government of Canada said in a press release, as reported by CNN. Russia TodaySunday (11/6/2023).

The An-124 Ruslan aircraft has been chartered by the Canadian government from Volga-Dnepr airline to deliver Covid test cargo from China in 2022. It landed in Toronto on February 27, just hours before Canada closed its airspace to all Russian aircraft and has been in -grounded since then.

“We have stood with the Ukrainian people from the start, and implemented NOTAMs on all Russian owned and operated flights to Canada,” Canada’s Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a statement.

“We support Ukraine and will take any and all necessary action, including this seizure, to put pressure on the President [Vladimir] Putin.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Saturday, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, where he cited Ukraine as the spearhead that defines the future of the 21st century.

“We want peace on Ukraine’s terms,” ​​Trudeau said, while announcing CAD500 million ($375 million) in Canadian military aid, but providing no details on how the new funds would be distributed.

Since February 2022, Canada has committed around $8 billion to support the Kyiv government’s battle against Moscow, while imposing several rounds of sanctions against Russian individuals and entities.

According to a Canadian government statement, with Volga-Dnepr added to the list of sanctioned entities months ago, Ottawa is now seizing the assets and managing them in accordance with federal law. “If the assets are eventually turned over to Crown, Canada will work with the Ukrainian government on options for redistributing these assets,” the Canadian government added.

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