How Russia is evading sanctions to keep $10 billion worth of seized Boeing and Airbus planes flying

• Russia seized some 500 leased Boeing and Airbus airliners after invading Ukraine.
• But it’s hard to keep the planes flying with little access to parts because of sanctions.
• It’s survived by smuggling parts, buying from the black market, and “cannibalizing” other jets.

Western sanctions against Russia have taken a toll on the country’s aviation sector — forcing the country to get creative to keep its planes flying.

Quickly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, western countries enacted heavy sanctions against Russia to punish Vladimir Putin.