UK seizes two jets owned by Russian billionaire Eugene Shvidler

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Britain seized two jets belonging to Russian billionaire Eugene Shvidler in the latest move to deprive President Vladimir Putin’s friends of their luxe toys as the war in Ukraine grinds on.

The billionaire oil tycoon’s planes, a $45 million Bombardier Global 6500 and a $13 million Cessna Citation Latitude, were detained “indefinitely” after being grounded for three weeks amid an investigation, British Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps said Saturday.

“Since Putin began his illegal assault, I’ve held jets belonging to Eugene Shvidler under investigation for 3 weeks. Now, I am using my powers to DETAIN them indefinitely,” Shapps tweeted. “Putin’s friends who made millions out of his regime will not enjoy luxuries whilst innocent people die.”

The UK and other Western countries have hit wealthy Russians with rafts of sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine Feb. 24, leaving some of the oligarchs to whine about not being able to pay their bills.

European countries have also seized multiple yachts wealthy Russians had berthed in Italy and Spain.

Shvidler’s assets in the country were frozen last week because of his links to those who have backed the war in Ukraine and because he has profited from his support for the Putin regime, the U.K. said.

He also has ties with Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich as a shareholder in his steel company Evraz PLC.

A private helicopter belonging to Russian firm HeliCo Group LLC was also detained, the BBC reported.

The UK has made it a criminal offense for planes owned, operated or chartered by Russians — including private jets — to fly or land in the UK.

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