Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand revealed that efforts to seize a Russian cargo plane parked at Toronto Pearson International Airport for years have led to the unraveling of the aircraft’s intricate ownership structure. Anand emphasized that this legal process is intertwined with aiding Ukraine during its crisis.
The Antonov An-124, a massive aircraft, has been a subject of ongoing discussions, with Anand describing the situation as complex. The plane arrived in Toronto in February 2022 to deliver COVID-19 rapid test kits but got stranded due to Canada’s airspace closure to Russian aircraft following the invasion of Ukraine.
The aircraft, originally owned by a Russian airline, Volga-Dnepr, and manufactured by Ukrainian company Antonov, has been under Canadian possession since the invasion to prevent its use against Ukraine. Anand confirmed that court proceedings are underway to secure the forfeiture of the plane, involving notification of the Russian oligarchs who possess the plane.
Despite the Canadian government’s intent to return the Antonov to Ukraine upon successful forfeiture, challenges persist due to the legal complexities of the case. Volga-Dnepr is also pursuing legal action under a 1989 bilateral investment agreement. Anand highlighted the significance of replenishing Ukraine’s Antonov fleet, given the destruction of some aircraft by Russia at the war’s onset.
The fate of the cargo plane remains uncertain as the forfeiture process navigates through intricate legal procedures, raising doubts about the timeline for the federal government’s ownership of the aircraft.
