Ukraine could get Russian An-124 stranded in Canada

If the court sides with the government, the plane will be handed over to Ukraine as a symbol of accountability for the war initiated by Russia.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand stated that the lawsuit has already been filed against the plane’s owner, Volga-Dnepr Group, which is under sanctions. According to her, transferring the An-124 would be a powerful symbol of justice and help compensate for Ukraine’s losses, as Russia destroyed part of Ukraine’s Antonov aircraft fleet at the start of the full-scale invasion.

“Those who enable Russia’s war will face consequences, and Ukraine will not be left to rebuild alone,” Anand emphasized during a press conference on the sidelines of the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers’ Summit in Toronto.

The An-124 is one of the largest cargo planes in the world, capable of carrying up to 150 tons of cargo. Canadian authorities noted that Russia could have used it for military supplies, which is why the plane has been prohibited from flying.

At the same time, the Canadian government plans to accelerate the release of the final 10 million Canadian dollars from the promised 70 million aid package for restoring Ukraine’s energy networks damaged by Russian attacks.

Canada is also exploring various legal avenues to transfer the seized plane to Ukraine as quickly as possible - besides the court ruling, a legislative mechanism is not ruled out.

“Russia barbarically attacks Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure, kindergartens, apartment blocks, seniors’ homes and hospitals,” the minister said.

If the court approves the claim, the An-124 will become the first major Russian-origin asset officially transferred to Ukraine by Canada.