Russian Elite Keeps Buying and Flying Western Bombardier and Gulfstream Business Jets Despite Sanctions

Russia’s elite continues to buy and use new Western-made business jets despite sanctions, The Wall Street Journal writes.

According to the newspaper, intermediary firms buy Bombardier and Gulfstream aircraft on the secondary market, register them in countries that have not joined sanctions against Russia, and then transfer them to the Russian Federation. Among such countries, the WSJ names the UAE, Oman, Kazakhstan and South Africa.

For example, Rostec chief Sergei Chemezov, according to the newspaper, uses a Bombardier Global 7500 worth about €75 million. He regularly flies on the aircraft to Dubai, Turkey and countries in Southeast Asia.

Businessman Arkady Rotenberg has been using two Bombardier Global jets at once since late 2022. He has repeatedly flown on them to the UAE and Azerbaijan.

Under sanctions rules, companies from North America and Europe must independently check and ensure that the aircraft they produce do not reach Russia through third parties. However, as the WSJ writes, the White House has recently eased enforcement of sanctions against Russia.

Russian Elite Keeps Buying and Flying Western Bombardier and Gulfstream Business Jets Despite Sanctions

The Aircraft Are Registered in Countries Such as the UAE and Kazakhstan, While the White House Has Recently Relaxed Sanctions Enforcement