The British government has detained private jets owned by a sanctioned Russian oligarch indefinitely. For three weeks, the two planes belonging to billionaire oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler were being investigated at Farnborough and Biggin Hill airports.
[Russian President Vladimir] “Putin’s friends” according to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, should not “enjoy luxuries” while innocent people die in Ukraine. Mr. Shvidler was sanctioned because of his connections to Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich.
According to the government, Mr Shvidler, a former boss and shareholder in Mr Abramovich’s steel conglomerate Evraz PLC, was associated with someone benefiting or supporting the Russian government.
According to the government, his net worth is estimated to be £1.2 billion, and the seized jets are worth up to $60 million (£45 million).
“Introducing these latest measures – detaining tens of millions of pounds worth of Russian private jets – shows this government will leave no stone unturned in depriving Putin’s cronies of their luxury toys.” Mr Shapps said in a statement. A private helicopter belonging to HeliCo Group LLC, a Russian company, has also been detained.
Western countries opposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine have imposed a slew of sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s economy and harming the country’s wealthiest citizens.
It is now illegal for planes owned, operated, or chartered by Russians to fly or land in the United Kingdom, including private jets.
Ukraine claimed it had dealt Russia “powerful blows” and suffered “significant losses” However, Russia’s army announced that the first phase of its military campaign in Ukraine has ended, and that it will now focus on the Donbas region in the east.