Russian airlines to pay in rubles for rented aircraft

Russian air carriers to transfer payments to foreign leasing companies' ruble accounts, says decree signed by Putin

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Friday authorizing the country's air carriers to pay in rubles for aircraft rented from "unfriendly countries."

The foreign companies will receive payments to ruble accounts opened either in Russia or abroad, it said.

According to the decree, the measure will be temporary, though the terms of its validity were not specified.

On March 7, the Russian government issued a list of countries "taking unfriendly actions against Russia, Russian companies, and citizens," referring to the economic sanctions introduced amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Russia-Ukraine war, which started on Feb. 24, has been met with international outrage, with the EU, US, and Britain, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,232 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,935 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4 million Ukrainians have also fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.

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