In the years leading up to the conflict in Ukraine, a private Boeing 737 associated with Russian oligarch Vladimir Yevtushenkov crisscrossed the globe, exploring destinations like the French Riviera, the Maldives, and the Seychelles, as well as key financial centers and world capitals. However, this year tells a different story, with the jet’s itinerary encompassing ex-Soviet states such as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and even China, according to flight tracking data provided by Flightradar24.
These shifts in flight routes provide a glimpse into the intricate dance of Russian oligarchs and their private jets as they navigate the constraints imposed by Western sanctions since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While some of Russia’s wealthy elite have found ways to keep their private jets operational, the restrictions have significantly narrowed the scope of their travel destinations.
Aviation sources with expertise in organizing and managing business jets revealed that some jet owners are opting for a circuitous route. They depart from Russia to travel to Turkey or other ex-Soviet states, and from there, they charter different aircraft for their onward journey to European Union airports, provided that the individuals involved are not subject to personal sanctions.
This practice, according to one of the sources, occurs at least once a week, although specific examples were not provided. It underscores the intricate maneuvers undertaken to evade sanctions while still enjoying the convenience and privacy of private jet travel.
Customs data reveals that certain repatriated aircraft are associated with state enterprises and business leaders who have either supported President Vladimir Putin during the war in Ukraine or have strong affiliations with him. For instance, a Bombardier Challenger 650 was imported by Uralkali, a prominent fertilizer producer once led by Dmitry Mazepin, who is among the tycoons who participated in a meeting of leading entrepreneurs hosted by Putin earlier this year. Similarly, a Bombardier Global 6000 was imported by VEB.RF, a state-owned development bank led by Igor Shuvalov, a former first deputy prime minister.
When these private aircraft were re-registered in Russia, they typically returned from ex-Soviet countries, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, as evidenced by customs data. To avoid crossing into EU airspace and adhere to countries considered friendly to Russia, the aircraft’s flight patterns, as tracked by Flightradar24, were strategically adjusted.
The adaptability and resourcefulness of Russian oligarchs in response to the sanctions highlight the complex interplay between global financial restrictions and the determination of those who seek to maintain their jet-setting lifestyles. These changes in flight routes and strategies serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of international sanctions and the creative means employed by the wealthy elite to navigate these challenges.
