As the crisis in Ukraine drags on, Britain has seized two planes belonging to Russian billionaire Eugene Shvidler.
According to British Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps, the billionaire oil tycoon’s planes, a $45 million Bombardier Global 6500 and a $13 million Cessna Citation Latitude, have been detained “indefinitely” after being grounded for three weeks during an investigation.
“I’ve been investigating Eugene Shvidler’s jets for the past three weeks, since Putin began his illegal assault.” Shapps tweeted, “Now I’m exercising my powers to DETAIN them indefinitely.” “Putin’s cronies who profited handsomely from his dictatorship will not be able to relax while innocent people perish.”
Wealthy Russians have been targeted by the UK and other Western countries.
According to the United Kingdom, Shvidler’s assets in the country were frozen last week because to his ties to people who have backed the war in Ukraine and because he has profited from his support for Putin’s administration.
He is also a shareholder in Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich’s steel company, Evraz PLC.
According to the BBC, a private helicopter belonging to the Russian company HeliCo Group LLC was also detained.
It is now illegal for planes owned, operated, or hired by Russians to fly or land in the United Kingdom, even private jets.