Official under EU sanctions appointed new head of Minsk airport

December 24, Pozirk. Uładzimir Čaravuchin, blacklisted by the European Union a week ago, has been appointed head of the Minsk International Airport, the airport’s press office reports.

Čaravuchin was sanctioned by the EU in his earlier capacity as the head of Biełaeranavihacyja’s Homiel branch over actions that reportedly undermined and threatened the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Soon after Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022, a Russian drone launched from the Homiel airport destroyed a self-propelled artillery battery of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the EU said.

Transport Minister Alaksiej Lachnovič and aviation official Volha Šapkava presented Čaravuchin to the airport staff today.

His predecessor, Viačasłaŭ Charanenka, died two months ago aged 60 after a serious illness. He was considered to be a key witness in Ryanair Flight 4978 hijacking as he headed the national airport in May 2021 when Belarusian security officers cited a false bomb threat to divert the passenger aircraft to Minsk and arrest opposition journalist Raman Pratasievič.

The forced Ryanair landing led to international sanctions against Belarusian flagship carrier Biełavia based at the Minsk airport. The airline currently operates flights to 10 countries, such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, India, Armenia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, the UAE and Turkmenistan.

Also read: Key witness in Ryanair Flight 4978 hijacking dies