Some of the wealthiest and most influential people in Russia are managing to keep their private airplanes in the air, despite the Western sanctions that have been in place since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. However, the restrictions have severely limited the planes' range of flight.

At least fifty private aircraft have been re-registered under the Russian flag since the invasion in February 2022, including the Boeing associated with Vladimir Yevtushenkov, as reported by Reuters.

(Photo : by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
An executive jet lands during a sunset at Geneva Airport on October 2, 2023.

Private Planes Linked to Well-Known Officials and Businessmen

According to two top Russian aviation industry insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity and were not authorized to talk to the media, a number of the returned private planes were linked to well-known officials and businessmen.

According to the two sources, Yevtushenkov personally utilized the Boeing-737, which was sporting the emblem of the telecom-to-timber conglomerate AFK Sistema until last year, as seen in images on the Jetphotos website.

Yevtushenkov declared he would not answer inquiries concerning the aircraft, including if he actually uses it. After being sanctioned by the UK last year, Yevtushenkov legally gave up ownership of Sistema. He continues to be the group's largest shareholder.

Requests for comments were not answered by the Ministry of Transport or Rosaviatsiya, Russia's aviation regulator. There is no indication that the planes' parent company violated any sanctions in connection with the return trips or current flights.

Western sanctions are adhered to by jurisdictions such as Aruba and the Isle of Man, where a portion of the planes were previously registered. According to one of the individuals, this had made it difficult for Russian-owned aircraft flying under their colors to obtain insurance, fuel, and permissions.

By flying under the Russian flag, the aircraft are able to travel to and from countries like Turkey and Dubai that do not have flight bans or where individual travelers are not subject to sanctions.

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Over 400 Private and Business Jets are Still Parked Overseas

Drawing on his in-depth understanding of the industry, the same source assessed that despite these maneuvers, over half of Russia's 400-strong fleet of private and business jets is either still parked overseas or has been sold.

According to the list, there are currently 145 business aircraft flying the Russian flag, up from 97 at the beginning of March 2022.

The 27-nation European Union, where Russia's oligarchs once traveled often for business and pleasure and where many of the private aircraft associated with them were registered before to the conflict, is off-limits to Russian aircraft due to sanctions.

According to both aviation sources, who arrange and oversee corporate jets, some jet owners are chartering alternative planes to EU airports after flying from Russia to Turkey or other former Soviet nations, provided that they are not subject to personal penalties.

One of the sources stated, "At least once a week, examples of this practice occur," without providing particular instances.

Customs data indicates that some of the planes that have been returned are connected to corporate executives and state-run companies that have supported or are connected to President Vladimir Putin in the conflict in Ukraine.

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