The Russian embassy in Ottawa is warning it might retaliate if Canada proceeds. "Russia will perceive the confiscation of the AN-124 aircraft by the Canadian government as hijacking, theft and piracy.

“Canada is really at the forefront of this,” said William Pellerin, an Ottawa-based trade lawyer with the firm McMillan LLP who has advised clients on navigating Ottawa’s sanctions on Russia.

The federal government has taken administrative steps to obtain full control over a massive Russian cargo plane parked in Toronto, which Ottawa hopes to use to generate financial support for Ukraine.