Members of Russia’s affluent class are utilizing Canadian-manufactured luxury aircraft imported post the imposition of sanctions on the aviation sector, a probe by CBC’s visual investigations team uncovered.
Records from Russia reveal that 34 business jets and commercial planes crafted in Canada and resold on the secondary market have made their way to Russia since the Ukrainian invasion in February 2022. Notably, sanctioned oligarchs Igor Kesaev and Sergey Shishkarev were involved in importing Bombardier business jets in July 2023 and March 2024, respectively.
Western experts believe that these aircraft are reaching Russia through legal loopholes that allow importers to bypass sanctions by routing the planes via countries friendly to Russia, like Oman and Kyrgyzstan. The evasion of sanctions by Russian elites has been described as a sophisticated operation akin to a modern-day black market model by Fen Hampson, an international affairs expert at Carleton University.
Kesaev’s legal representative, Roeland Moeyersons, declined to comment on the matter. Despite reaching out to Shishkarev’s Delo Group, CBC received no response.
Bombardier abstained from commenting on specific aircraft transactions, emphasizing that these planes were sold on the secondary market without the company’s direct involvement, and it ensured compliance with sanctions regulations.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, international sanctions restricted the export of aircraft and parts to Russia by the EU, U.S., and Canada. Despite the sanctions, Russia managed to import over $1 billion worth of aircraft and components, indicating the challenges in enforcing the restrictions.
Recent revelations indicate a network facilitating the import of Canadian aircraft into Russia despite sanctions, involving complex ownership structures and international partnerships. The saga underscores the difficulties in enforcing sanctions, with Russian oligarchs seemingly able to operate with impunity as long as they maintain ties to the Russian regime.
The intricate web of connections involved in the importation of these aircraft sheds light on the challenges faced by authorities in curbing such activities. Despite the ongoing conflicts and sanctions, the flow of luxury aircraft to Russia continues, raising questions about the effectiveness of current measures in deterring such transactions.