The US Commerce Department on Friday will move to effectively ground 100 airplanes that have recently flown to Russia and are believed to violate US export controls, including a plane used by Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, officials told Reuters.
The list, seen by Reuters, includes 99 Boeing airplanes operated by Russian passenger and cargo carriers including Aeroflot, AirBridge Cargo, Utair, Nordwind, Azur Air and Aviastar-TU -- as well as Abramovich’s Gulfstream G650 -- and could further hinder Russian efforts to continue some international flights.
The US Commerce Department has said the planes are in contravention of US sanctions on Russia.
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the move was in response to "Russia's brutal war of choice against Ukraine".
She added: "We are publishing this list to put the world on notice - we will not allow Russian and Belarusian companies and oligarchs to travel with impunity in violation of our laws."
The department said violators face "substantial jail time, fines, loss of export privileges, or other restrictions".
The regulations apply to any aircraft which has more than 25% US-origin content that was re-exported to Russia after new controls came into effect on 24 February, the day Russia invaded Ukraine.
"By preventing these aircraft from receiving any service, for example, including from abroad, international flights from Russia on these aircraft are effectively grounded," the statement added.
Providing service to these aircraft anywhere in the world - including inside Russia - may lead to heavy fines and potential jail time, it says.
The list includes aircraft operated by Russian airlines, including Aeroflot.
While most are Boeing aircraft, a Gulfstream private jet owned by Mr Abramovich - the current owner of Chelsea football club - is also included.
The Russian was among seven oligarchs sanctioned by the UK government earlier this month in response to the Ukraine war.
The United States, Canada and much of Europe have barred Russian planes from flying over their airspace, which has forced the cancellation of much of Russia’s international flights.
Mr Abramovich, 55, is alleged to have strong ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he has denied.
In a statement, the department said any refuelling, maintenance or repair work of any of the listed aircraft - as well as the provision of spare parts - violates US export controls.
