Russia Restores Mothballed Soviet-Era Jets As Plane Shortage Worsens
January 20th, 2026Via: ZeroHedge:
Russia has throughout nearly four years of its ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine been largely successful in weathering constantly expanding US and EU sanctions. While isolated, its economy has stayed afloat, but it has been forced into desperate measures as sanctions take a toll on some key sectors.
Russian newspaper Izvestia reports that Russia’s commercial airline industry is having to call back aging, decommissioned planes in an effort to sustain passenger traffic. Soviet-made planes which are several decades old are being restored to service.
“The plan involves nine Tupolev Tu-204/214 jets, one Antonov An-148 and two Ilyushin Il-96 widebody planes delivered to carriers including Red Wings,” The Moscow Times says of the Russian media reports.
“Ten of the 12 aircraft, which are reportedly up to 30 years old, have already been returned to service, Rostec told Izvestia,” the report continues.
