Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand revealed that efforts to seize a Russian cargo plane parked for an extended period at Toronto Pearson International Airport have involved unraveling the aircraft’s intricate ownership structure. Anand emphasized that this legal process is intertwined with supporting Ukraine during its current challenges.
The aircraft in question is the Antonov An-124, renowned as one of the largest planes ever built. Anand characterized the situation as complex during a recent update. The plane arrived in Toronto in February 2022 to transport COVID-19 rapid test kits from China on behalf of the Canadian government. However, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Canada prohibited all Russian aircraft from using its airspace, effectively grounding the Antonov.
Anand clarified that since the onset of the conflict, Canada has maintained custody of the plane to prevent its potential use against Ukraine. The aircraft, originally manufactured by Ukrainian firm Antonov and operated by Russian airline Volga-Dnepr, remains stranded in Canada.
Despite ongoing disputes with Russia over the seizure, the Canadian government is pursuing legal action to secure ownership of the plane. Anand confirmed that notice has been served to five out of six entities connected to the aircraft, with preparations underway to address the remaining entity through court proceedings.
Volga-Dnepr has invoked a 1989 bilateral investment agreement to challenge the seizure and seek compensation. If the forfeiture is granted, the Canadian government plans to return the Antonov to Ukraine, although extensive maintenance will likely be required due to its extended stay on the ground.
Anand highlighted the significance of this action in light of Russia’s destruction of Ukrainian Antonov aircraft at the conflict’s outset, framing the return of the plane as a means of replenishing Ukraine’s fleet. However, the intricate nature of the forfeiture process leaves the timeline for the federal government to assume ownership of the cargo plane uncertain.