Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand revealed that efforts to seize a long-standing Russian cargo plane at Toronto Pearson International Airport have necessitated unraveling the intricate ownership structure of the aircraft. Anand emphasized the dual nature of the process, combining legal intricacies with the overarching goal of supporting Ukraine during its time of crisis.
The Antonov An-124, a significant aircraft in terms of size, has been a subject of ongoing attention, with Anand providing the latest government insights into the situation. The aircraft has been stationed in Toronto since February 2022, following its involvement in transporting COVID-19 rapid test kits from China on behalf of the Canadian government.
Anand described the situation as complex and highlighted the challenges posed by the convoluted ownership arrangements of the plane. The Transport Ministry’s decision to close Canadian airspace to Russian aircraft in response to the Ukraine conflict resulted in the plane being grounded indefinitely.
The Foreign Ministry of Russia condemned the seizure as “cynical and shameless theft.” The aircraft, owned by Russian airline Volga-Dnepr and manufactured by Ukrainian company Antonov, remains under Canadian possession to prevent its potential utilization against Ukraine.
In response to the seizure, Volga-Dnepr initiated a formal dispute with the Canadian government in August 2023. Anand confirmed the government’s pursuit of forfeiture through legal avenues, involving notifying the Russian oligarchs who own the plane. Despite challenges in serving all relevant entities, efforts are underway to progress the case through court proceedings.
Anand mentioned the government’s intention to return the Antonov to Ukraine if the forfeiture is granted, acknowledging the anticipated need for significant maintenance due to its prolonged grounding. The complexity of the case leaves uncertainty regarding the timeline for the cargo plane to come under federal possession.