Antonov warns of sanctions for failure of An-124 Ruslan contract with Russia

"To comply with obligations to ensure inter-agency coordination with the authorized ministries and departments of Ukraine, in keeping with a letter with explanations from the State Exports Control Service of Ukraine, Antonov's specialists will provide services to assess the technical condition of the An-124-100 Ruslan aircraft of the Volga-Dnepr company on a contractual basis," the Ukrainian state-owned enterprise's press service told UNIAN.

Read alsoAntonov might resume cooperation with Russia – Russian mediaThis aircraft has a certificate of civil aircraft registration and can be used only for civilian and economic needs, it said. "Thus, Antonov as a developer of aviation equipment operates in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine and international aviation regulations," it said.

The press service claims that the failure of Antonov and Ukraine in general to fulfill their obligations, including the maintenance of An-type civil aircraft, will result in relevant international sanctions.

"In particular, [these include] a ban on international flights of An-type aircraft, as well as the transfer of developer functions to other agencies to be authorized by the country that operates the aircraft," it said.

What is more, the Ukrainian side claims, the Russian company Volga-Dnepr is not sanctioned by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

Yet, cooperation between Antonov and Volga-Dnepr Airlines in air transportation of oversized and odd-sized freight was completely terminated in 2016.

Earlier media reported that Ukraine's state Antonov and the Russian cargo airlines Volga-Dnepr had been in talks behind closed doors on the resumption of servicing of the Russian planes. Volga Dnepr's fleet consists of 12 Ruslan aircraft used to provide air charter freight services.