UK Cracks Down on Russian Jets Amid Ukraine War
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is on the warpath against Vladimir Putin’s “illegal war” in Ukraine. The UK has banned all planes owned, operated, or chartered by Russians from flying or landing on British soil. This bold move is part of a wider crackdown targeting Moscow’s elite and their assets.
Russian Jets Grounded: Private Planes Snagged
The Department for Transport is keeping tight-lipped about the latest aircraft seizure, including where the plane was stopped. But this latest move comes just 10 days after the UK impounded a private jet linked to billionaire Russian oligarch Eugene Shvidler.
- The Luxembourg-registered jet flew from the US to Farnborough Airport on March 3.
- Officials believe Shvidler was on board, although he has not been personally sanctioned by the UK.
- The plane was grounded during investigations into whether it was permanently leased to Shvidler and thus subject to UK sanctions.
Sanctions Blitz to Cripple Russia’s Economy
The UK, alongside other Western nations, has unleashed a barrage of sanctions aimed at choking Russia’s economy and hitting its wealthy backers. Key measures include:
- Outlawing Russian planes and private jets from UK airspace.
- Banning UK exports of aviation and space technology to Russia.
- Excluding major Russian banks from the UK financial system and freezing their UK assets.
- Slapping a 35% import tax on selected Russian goods, including vodka.
- Imposing travel bans and asset freezes against oligarchs with Kremlin ties.
With these steps, the UK aims to hit Putin where it hurts — his cronies and cash flow — showing zero tolerance for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
