Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Sunday that Ukraine is preparing to confiscate a massive Russian cargo plane that has been grounded at Toronto Pearson International Airport for over a year. This move comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada met with Shmyhal in Toronto last week to discuss support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The cargo plane in question is an AN-124 aircraft owned by the Volga-Dnepr Group, a Russian airline. It arrived in Toronto from China, via the U.S. and Russia, with plans to leave shortly thereafter. However, its flight was cancelled when Canada closed its airspace to Russian aircraft operators, leaving the plane stranded at Toronto Pearson since February 27, 2022.
In his Facebook post, Shmyhal referred to the plane as belonging to the «aggressor» and stated that Ukraine is preparing to confiscate the aircraft and other assets of the Volga-Dnepr Group in Canada, with the intention of benefiting Ukraine.
Canada has also imposed new sanctions in response to the situation, including sanctions against the Volga-Dnepr Group and Volga-Dnepr Airlines. In addition, Canada is imposing sanctions on 14 Russian individuals and 34 Russian entities in support of Ukraine.
The owner of the grounded plane has been billed for parking fees during its extended stay at Toronto Pearson, amounting to $1,065.60 for each 24-hour period, according to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).
During a joint news conference with Shmyhal, Trudeau expressed Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s actions. «Canada will continue to be steadfast in our support of Ukraine as you defend yourselves heroically against Putin’s brutal, barbaric invasion,» Trudeau stated, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine as «brutal» and «barbaric.»
As of now, there is no word on when the grounded cargo plane will leave Toronto. Global Affairs Canada, the country’s foreign affairs department, declined to comment on potential asset seizures related to the plane.
The situation involving the grounded Russian cargo plane in Toronto adds to the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with Canada and other international partners showing support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The situation continues to evolve, and further developments will be closely monitored.