Full coverage: SMBC

They say their insurance policies were meant to pay out in 90 days for aeroplanes lost by acts of war. Yet nearly a year after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, some of the world's largest aircraft lessors are fighting tooth and nail for compensation.

Last July SMBC Aviation wrote off $1.6 billion as 34 of its jets were marooned in Russia with little hope of recovery. It is now following a well-beaten path to the Irish High Court to pursue its claims against its insurers.