The U.S. government has obtained a warrant to seize a $45 million airplane owned by Russian energy company PJSC LUKOIL, a news release says.
“The FBI will remain focused and faithful to our responsibility to protect our U.S. national security and foreign policy interests," James Smith, special agent in charge of the FBI's Houston field office, said in a statement. "We’ll continue to go after individuals who insist on helping Russia advance its hostile and illegal activities, and we’ll continue to seize their valuable possessions, wherever they may be. We thank Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Commerce for their partnership in this case.”
The Boeing aircraft "flew into and out of Russia in violation of the Department of Commerce’s Russia sanctions," the news release says.
Sanctions were imposed earlier this year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Justice Department reports.
“Today’s actions to enforce the powerful export restrictions placed on Russia are our latest coordinated measures that let Vladimir Putin and his allies know they are isolated and we are watching," Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod said in a statement. "The Commerce Department’s Office of Export Enforcement continues to vigorously enforce the export laws of the United States and stand with the people of Ukraine against Putin’s war of aggression.”
The plane is believed to be in Russia, according to the news release.
"The Boeing last flew into the United States in March 2019 when the plane flew from overseas to Houston with LUKOIL officials, including a Russian oligarch – then LUKOIL president and CEO Vagit Alekperov – on board the aircraft," the news release says.
