Why is Canada seizing a Russian cargo plane? Here’s what to know

Ukraine war entered a new phase over the weekend.After more than 15 months, the Canadian government ordered the seizure on Saturday of the Russian-registered cargo aircraft as a direct response to Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour that began in February 2022.This is the first physical asset of Russia that will be captured by Ottawa under the asset forfeit law and the second under Canada’s overall sanctions regime.Here is a look back at the developments, and at what happens next.The Antonov 124 aircraft landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Feb.

27, 2022.It had arrived from China, flying through Russia and Alaska to deliver a shipment of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.The plane, believed to be owned by a subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr Airlines LLC and Volga-Dnepr Group, was initially supposed to depart shortly after making its delivery.But on the same day, Canada – like many other countries – closed its airspace to Russian aircraft in response to the Ukraine war, forcing the cargo jet to remain grounded indefinitely.At the time, a transport ministry spokesperson said the Russian plane “arrived before the NOTAM was in place, and remains at the airport as departing would be in violation.” NOTAM is short for notice to airmen according to Transport Canada.“The thing’s a big paperweight now,” said aviation lawyer Bill Clark at the time.The plane has been accumulating parking fees at Pearson International Airport of roughly $1,065 per day over the past year.The seizure is aimed at putting “additional pressure on Russia to stop its illegal war against Ukraine by straining its economic system and limiting resources that fuel the war,” Global Affairs Canada said in a statement Saturday.