Putin's Inner Circle Flies Western Jets Despite Sanctions Amid Active Workaround Deals

Despite Western sanctions targeting Russia, prominent figures close to President Vladimir Putin are reportedly still utilizing expensive Western-made private jets. A report by the Wall Street Journal, analyzing aviation data and import records, revealed that Russian tycoons, identified as Putin's associates, maintain access to top-tier business jets manufactured in the West. One such aircraft, a Bombardier Global 7500 valued at $75 million (approximately 116.9 billion Korean won), was observed at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport. Sergey Chemezov, CEO of the state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, has been documented using this jet for travel to destinations including Dubai, Turkey, and Southeast Asia. The report specifically names Chemezov, along with Putin's long-time associate Arkady Rotenberg and defense industry magnate Igor Kesayev, as key examples of sanctioned individuals who continue to benefit from these luxury aircraft. Their continued use of Western aviation underscores the ongoing efforts to circumvent international economic restrictions.