Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer Antonov Design Bureau expects a Volga-Dnepr Airlines (VI, Ulyanovsk Vostochny) An-124, seized by Canadian authorities last year, to be handed over to Ukraine once legal proceedings conclude.
RA-82078 (msn 9773054559153) was stranded at Toronto Pearson in February 2022 when Canada closed its skies to Russian aircraft following that country's invasion of Ukraine. It has remained there ever since. In June 2023, the Canadian government announced plans to seize the plane under asset seizure and forfeiture rules targeting sanctioned individuals and entities, including the An-124's owner, Volga-Dnepr Group. In response, in December 2023, Volga-Dnepr sued the Canadian government and is now seeking over USD100 million in damages via arbitration.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government is moving to formalise its seizure of RA-82078 in the Canadian courts. Antonov has told the Ukrainska Pravda online newspaper that it expects these proceedings to take another six months, after which the aircraft will be confiscated and sent to Ukraine as military aid. The plane reportedly remains in good condition and was recently inspected by Antonov employees.
Another three An-124s, specifically RA-82043 (msn 9773054155101), RA-82045 (msn 9773052255113), and RA-82046 (msn 9773052255117) remain stranded at Leipzig/Halle, also because of sanctions, with the German government yet to decide their fate.
