On Thursday evening, Volga-Dnepr Airlines landed again in Brno, Czech Republic, with an Ilyushin Il-76TD coming from Moscow-Domodedovo. The purpose was the same as on March 1, 2022 in Bratislava: nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants was flown in.

Slovakia provided caused a stir on Tuesday, because although both Russia and the European Union have banned Russian airlines from using the airspace, Volga-Dnepr Airlines flew from Moscow-Domodedovo to Bratislava with an Ilyushin Il-76TD. The Slovakian government had issued a special permit and was literally in trouble for explanations. Among other things, it was claimed that "urgently needed nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants" should be a valid reason for an exemption.

Nuclear power plants play a central role in the Slovak and Czech energy strategies. Without exception, these are VVER pressurized water reactors developed in Soviet times. To put it mildly, the reactors in both states are not without controversy, because not a single nuclear power plant has containment. Some of these were also retrofitted with Western technology, including from Westinghouse. However, this does not apply to the reactor itself, which depends, among other things, on fuel rods from Russia. Rosatom concern is the world's only supplier of nuclear fuel compatible for Slovak and Czech reactors.

In order for Bohunice, Mochovce, Dukovany and Temelin to be able to operate, one is dependent on supplies from Moscow. The Czech Republic has now also issued a special permit for this in the form of an “Emergency Cargo Charter”. This was operated by Volga-Dnepr Airlines as VI5968 with RA-76952. This aircraft was also used on March 1, 2022 in the nuclear transport to Bratislava. On March 3, 2022, this Il-76TD landed at Brno Airport at around 19:30 p.m. The airspaces of Belarus and Poland were previously used.

Within less than a week, two countries granted special permits for a Russian cargo airline. This clearly shows that there are dependencies on Russia and when it comes to the nuclear power plants, which are being pushed in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is obviously done quickly and easily.