Canada to transfer An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft to Ukraine

Canada has initiated the process of confiscating a powerful An-124-100-150 Ruslan transport aircraft belonging to the Russian airline Volga-Dnepr Airlines. The aircraft, which was seized in Toronto after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, will be transferred to Ukraine after all legal procedures are completed.

On May 6, 2025, Olga Stefanishyna, Minister of Justice of Ukraine, confirmed that Canada has initiated the necessary legal steps to transfer the An-124 Ruslan to Ukraine. The aircraft was seized in June 2023 under Canada’s Special Economic Measures Act, which provides for the confiscation of assets associated with Russian state entities. The aircraft belongs to Volga-Dnepr Airlines, which is under sanctions due to Russia’s aggression.

1. After the trial, the aircraft will be transferred to the National Asset Management Agency of Ukraine. As part of the sanctions package, Canada also plans to seize other Volga-Dnepr assets located in the country.
2. The strategic heavy transport aircraft can carry up to 150 tons of cargo. The aircraft was widely used for international transportation of heavy equipment, including military equipment and industrial equipment. Due to its technical characteristics, it is one of the most powerful transport aircraft in the world.

The An-124 “Ruslan” was developed by the Antonov Design Bureau in the 1980s as a competitor to the American Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. The first flight took place in 1982 in Kyiv, and serial production was carried out at factories in Kyiv and Ulyanovsk. The aircraft set several world records for payload and flight range. The main operators were Antonov Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Airlines.

The confiscation of the vehicle by Canada and its transfer to Ukraine is an important step towards strengthening Ukraine’s air transport capabilities. This decision is evidence of international support for Kyiv in the fight against Russian aggression and will significantly increase the strategic mobility of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.