UK Issues Flight Ban On Private Jets Linked To Russian Oligarchs

JAKARTA - Britain's Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Saturday he had stopped using another private jet with links to Russian oligarchs.

"We will not stand by and watch those under (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's protection live in peace while the blood of innocent people is shed," Shapps said in a tweet.

The UK Department of Transport (DfT) said it had issued a Notice to Airmen to prevent the plane from flying from London's Luton Airport.

The plane will remain at the airport while officials carry out further investigations into whether the plane was among those banned because of its links to Russia in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Transportation Department said it would not comment on the ownership of the plane amid its investigation.

They have detained one private helicopter belonging to the HeliCo Group and two private planes.

The two private planes belonged to Eugene Shvidler, a sanctioned billionaire and partner of Roman Abramovich.

Russia refuses to have targeted civilians in the invasion that began on February 24.

Vladimir Putin called the invasion a "special military operation" in Ukraine.