Russian Aircraft Remain in German Airports Due to EU Sanctions Against Russia

Berlin has confirmed that Russian aircraft remain at German airports. Since the beginning of 2022, several Russian planes have been located at various German airports, as confirmed by the German Ministry of Transport. According to WDR, one of these planes belongs to Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin.

For over three years, multiple Russian aircraft have been stranded at German airports due to EU sanctions against Russia, which prevent their departure. Until June 2024, an Airbus A320, which was leased from the Russian airline Aeroflot and belonged to an Irish-Chinese leasing company, was parked at Munich Airport. The German ministry reported that after a payment of 470,000 euros by the owner, the aircraft was allowed to fly to Ostrava in the Czech Republic.

Additionally, several other planes are located in Germany, but due to ongoing investigations concerning their owners, the ministry has declined to provide further information.