A plane from Abramovich entered the black list of aircraft that the US prevents from flying

A private jet of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is on the US blacklist of a 100 aircraft that had reportedly breached the flight restrictions imposed against Russia by the invasion of Ukraine.

In addition to a private jet Gulfstream G650 from Abramovich, the list includes a hundred Boeing commercial aircraft from Russian airlines Aeroflot, AirbridgeCargo, Aviastar, Nordwind and Utair, and from Romania's Blue Air, the US Department of Commerce reported Friday.

In a statement, that department indicated that these planes “have flown to Russia in apparent violation” of sanctions, and threatened fines and jail terms to those who fly with such aircraft without authorization anywhere in the world, including Russia.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Washington closed its airspace to Russian airlines and ordered that any aircraft manufactured in the United States must apply for a license to fly to or from Russia.

The Department of Commerce emphasized that the loading of fuel, maintenance or repair of these aircraft is also subject to penalties.

“We are publishing this list to alert the world: we will not allow Russian and Belarusian companies and oligarchs to travel with impunity in violation of our laws,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement.

Western countries, including the United States and the European Union, have imposed severe sanctions on a variety of Russian industries and wealthy individuals who are considered to support Putin and the invasion of Ukraine at the end of last month. The sanctions also targeted Belarus for its support.

All flights that violated the sanctions were operated or owned by Russian citizens, said the Department of Commerce

Other aircraft identified by Commerce include Boeing 777 and 737 operated by Nordwind Airlines, Boeing 767 and 737 operated by Utair, and Boeing 767, 757, 777 and 737 operated by Azur Air.

Although Abramovich is not part of the list of Russian oligarchs sanctioned in the United States, he was sanctioned by the UK Government for his “close relationship for decades” with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Following these sanctions, which freeze Abramovich's assets and prohibit him from entering the UK, the Russian billionaire announced the sale of Chelsea.

Abramovich, who became one of the richest men in Russia on the ruins of the Soviet Union, saw his ties with the Kremlin take its toll on him last week, when he was struck by British sanctions. His close proximity to Vladimir Putin, the despot who ordered to invade and massacre Ukraine, was key to acting on his assets that served for decades to finance Moscow.

The oligarch, who announced to put up for sale the club, the current European champion, now sees this transaction suspended due to the freezing of its assets. The billionaire with a cropped white beard, melancholy look and shy reputation cannot do business with British individuals or companies or travel to this country either.

Unavoidable character of the global jet-set and owner of a luxurious 15-room residence in the elegant London neighborhood of Kensington, Abramovich, 55, is one of those businessmen who became meteorically wealthy in the 1990s, following the introduction of market economy in Russia , acquiring considerable political influence.

(With information from EFE and AFP)

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