On February 14, the Government of Canada imposed sanctions on two subsidiaries of the Russian airline Volga-Dnepr: Volga-Dnepr Airlines (Ireland) Limited and Volga-Dnepr Logistics B.V
Volga-Dnepr is one of the largest cargo companies, it delivers cargo to various countries and regions aboard AN-124-100/150 and IL-76TD-90VD transport aircraft.
In April 2023, Canada imposed sanctions on dozens of companies, including Volga-Dnepr, involved in the “war of Putin’s choice,” including several security facilities associated with the Wagner Group and the aviation sector.
In February 2022 Canada has banned Russian airlines from using its airspace. Due to this ban, the Volga-Dnepr AN-124-100 aircraft, which was carrying out a humanitarian flight ordered by the Government of Canada with 60900 kg of COVID-19 test kits from China, was blocked at the Toronto airport. The aircraft was subsequently arrested by the authorities.
In August 2023 Volga-Dnepr Airlines sent an official notification to the Canadian authorities with a proposal to settle the dispute regarding the arrested aircraft, but this proposal was rejected.
In 2024, Volga-Dnepr Airlines announced that it had initiated investment arbitration proceedings in connection with the expropriation of its business in Canada, including the seizure of the AN-124-100 aircraft.
