Days following Canada’s announcement that it is seizing a Russian-registered cargo aircraft, Moscow is cautioning that the bond between the two countries is “on the verge of being severed.” The Kremlin asserts that the seizure will have significant consequences for Canadian-Russian relations.
This move marks the first time Canada has seized a physical asset owned by Russia under its asset forfeiture law and the second time under its sanctions regime. The aircraft, an Antonov 124, had initially landed in Toronto’s Pearson International Airport over a year ago.
The seizure of the plane was declared on Saturday while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an unexpected visit to Kyiv, Ukraine. Canadian officials explained that the move is a direct response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
In February 2022, Canada banned Russian aircraft from operating in its airspace, thus grounding the Antonov 124. The plane had arrived in Canada to deliver COVID-19 antigen tests. The Russian foreign ministry expressed its disapproval, calling the aircraft’s detention at the Toronto airport since February 2022 an “act of cynical and shameless theft.”
Canada believes that the plane is owned by a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr Airlines LLC and Volga-Dnepr Group, both of which have recently faced sanctions due to their involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. Global Affairs Canada stated that the seizure aims to exert additional pressure on Russia and limit the resources that fuel the war.
The future of the aircraft remains uncertain. Under the new asset forfeiture law, Canada can seize assets owned by sanctioned individuals and divert them to victims of the sanctioned regime.
During Trudeau’s visit to Ukraine, he revealed that the government intends to forfeit the plane to Ukraine to prevent its use in the Russian war effort. He expressed the Ukrainian people’s satisfaction with this development.
Moscow’s statement claims that the plane was “taken hostage” after landing in Canada for a humanitarian project at the request of the Canadian government. It further criticizes Canada’s military and financial support to Ukraine, regarding it as insufficient generosity.
Aviation lawyer Bill Clark, who was hired by an unnamed Canadian cargo company, revealed that the Russians have been utilizing Antonov 124 aircraft for military transport and to support the assault on Ukraine, despite the plane not being registered as a military aircraft. The Russian government denies these allegations.
Russia has warned that it will retaliate in response to Canada’s potential plans for the aircraft, emphasizing the principle of reciprocity. The Russians assert that judicial procedures attempting to legitimize this “illegal and shameful act” will be ineffective.
Please note that this article includes contributions from Global News’ Saba Aziz and The Canadian Press.
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