Ukrainian Justice Minister Olha Stefanishna believes Canada's efforts to confiscate the Volga Depur Antonov AN-124-150 would result in heavy transport aircraft being moved to Ukraine.
Stefanishna says Canadian authorities have begun the process of seizing the jets – parked at Toronto Pearson Airport – and “hard work” has led to legal proceedings
“The seizure of the Russians (AN-124) was one of my first objectives in my first month as Minister of Justice,” she says.
“I am confident that (the aircraft) will soon be able to have a new home in Ukraine, and will serve our state's interests.”
The Canadian government has moved to implement a commitment to seize and redistribute the assets of licensed individuals over the Ukrainian conflict.
Initially, in December 2022, the authorization was used to curb the financial amounts from a company called Granite Capital Holdings.
AN-124 became the second asset to be seized in June 2023.
The aircraft, previously operated by the Russian outsized cargo carrier Volga-DNEPR Group, is responsible for the Russian registered RA-82078.
The Canadian government issued an order in February identifying several political parties, including Sberbank in Russia, various Volga-DNEPR entities, and Volga-DNEPR founder Alexei Isaikin, as the jet owners or controllers.
Stefanishyna said Canadian authorities have applied to Ontario Superior Court to secure the aircraft.
“This is another important step on the path to justice and restoring peace in Ukraine,” she says. “And this is a great example of how international law actually works.”
