By Trend News Line 2024-02-12 13:07:21.
Aircraft Illegally Transferred Abroad by Russia’s Aviation Fleet
In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that nearly five dozen aircraft belonging to Russia’s state aviation fleet have been illegally transferred abroad since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This unlawful act was allegedly carried out by Rosaviatsiya, the Kremlin’s Air Transport Agency, with some of the aircraft ending up in “unfriendly” countries.
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According to a report by Russia’s national newspaper, Izvestia, a joint raid was conducted on the offices of Rosaviatsiya by the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Ministry of Internal Affairs. The aim of the raid was to investigate accusations that 59 aircraft, including fixed-wing planes and helicopters, had been illegally exported after the invasion of Ukraine began. Shockingly, some of these aircraft were then provided to Kyiv by hostile states for use against Putin’s so-called “special military operation.”
Out of the 59 aircraft that were illegally deregistered, 21 were sold to countries outside the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), while eight went to unnamed “unfriendly” nations. Law enforcement sources cited by Izvestia revealed that at least three Mi-8 helicopters and two Il-76 transport aircraft, with their transponders turned off to avoid tracking, were identified as being used in operations by Ukraine. Others have been traced to Moldova and Azerbaijan, while the whereabouts of the rest remain unknown.
The investigation into this scandal was triggered by an audit of Rosaviatsiya’s aircraft registry in July 2023. The audit revealed that agency employees had unlawfully deregistered the airplanes and helicopters, in violation of legislation enacted after the 2022 invasion. As a result, two senior employees of Rosaviatsiya, Kristina Byvalina and Petr Kozyrev, were taken into custody.
The evidence collected during the raid reportedly confirmed the illegality of the actions taken by Rosaviatsiya employees and other individuals involved in deregistering the aircraft. It is speculated that more criminal cases could be opened, potentially implicating Alexander Neradko, the former head of Rosaviatsiya who resigned in September, and Anna Zhiltsova, Byvalina’s former deputy who was dismissed last June.
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This shocking revelation raises serious concerns about the integrity and transparency of Russia’s aviation fleet. It also highlights the extent to which Russia’s actions in Ukraine have violated international norms and endangered the security of neighboring countries. The full consequences of this illegal transfer of aircraft are yet to be seen, but it is clear that further investigations and accountability are urgently needed..
1. FSB Investigates Illegal Sale of Aircraft to Ukraine and Other ‘Unfriendly States’
2. FSB Investigates Illegal Sale of Aircraft to Ukraine and Other ‘Unfriendly States’ Investigation.
