Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has revealed that the government’s pursuit of seizing a Russian cargo plane parked at Toronto Pearson International Airport for several years has required untangling the aircraft’s intricate ownership structure. Anand emphasized that this legal process is part of the broader effort to support Ukraine during its time of need.
The Antonov An-124, a massive aircraft, has been stranded at the airport since February 2022. Initially, it was commissioned by the Canadian government to transport COVID-19 rapid test kits from China. However, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Canada closed its airspace to all Russian planes, effectively grounding the Antonov.
Anand described the situation as complex and highlighted the difficulties in deciphering the corporate structures employed by the plane’s owners. The aircraft, manufactured by Ukrainian company Antonov and operated by Russian airline Volga-Dnepr, has remained immobilized in Canada to prevent its potential use against Ukraine.
The government’s objective is to secure the forfeiture of the plane through legal proceedings, necessitating communication with the Russian oligarchs who possess the aircraft. Despite serving notice to five of the six entities involved in the process, challenges remain in reaching the final entity. Consequently, preparations are underway for a court motion to resolve this issue.
Meanwhile, Volga-Dnepr has invoked a 1989 bilateral investment agreement between Russia and Canada to support its claim for damages. If successful, the Canadian government intends to return the Antonov to Ukraine, albeit acknowledging the need for substantial maintenance due to its extended period of inactivity.
Anand underscored the symbolic significance of replenishing Ukraine’s Antonov fleet, alluding to the destruction of Ukrainian Antonov aircraft by Russia at the conflict’s outset. Nonetheless, the timeline for the federal government to assume possession of the cargo plane remains uncertain due to the intricate nature of the forfeiture case.