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Roman Abramovich (archive image)
Photo: Adam Davy / dpa
Roman Abramovich is said to have close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As a result of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, US authorities want to confiscate two of the oligarch's planes.
It is a so-called Dreamliner, a Boeing 787-8, and a private jet from the manufacturer Gulfstream.
Together, the jets are worth around 400 million US dollars (a good 370 million euros), the Justice Department said on Monday.
An order from the judiciary gives the US authorities the right to confiscate the Russian's aircraft, it said.
The US export controls imposed because of the war, which also affect aircraft mostly manufactured in the USA, serve as a handle for this.
Abramovich is said to have close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The western sanctions because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine had massive consequences for the oligarch, especially in Great Britain.
All of his assets were frozen there.
The London football club Chelsea, which he had owned for almost 20 years, is being taken over by a group of investors led by US businessman Todd Boehly.
International flights could become a problem
The Boeing is currently in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the Gulfstream machine is in the Russian capital Moscow, said the Ministry of Justice.
It initially seemed at least unclear whether and when the US authorities could get hold of the aircraft.
At the same time, it will probably be difficult to use the machines internationally in the future.
Because Abramovich's planes were used internationally in March without a special permit from the responsible authority of the US Department of Commerce, the authority also opened a procedure that could lead to a fine.
The maximum amount of the fee is twice the value of the aircraft, it said.
The US judiciary put the value of the Boeing machine at around $350 million, and the Gulfstream is said to be worth around $60 million.
jok/dpa
