Sanctioned Russian Military Aircraft Departs Israel for Abu Dhabi
A Russian military aircraft under US sanctions landed at Ben Gurion Airport before departing for Abu Dhabi amid heightened diplomatic contacts involving Russia, Iran, and Ukraine.
A Russian military Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft, typically used for transporting high-ranking officials, landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday evening and departed for Abu Dhabi on Tuesday afternoon, according to Flightradar24 tracking data. The purpose of the flight and its passengers remain undisclosed, and Israel's security establishment has declined to comment on the visit.
The aircraft, bearing serial number RA-85042, was placed on United States sanctions lists in May 2023. According to American authorities, the plane was previously utilized by members of the Wagner Group, a private military contractor operating in various global conflict zones. It is one of 37 Russian aircraft subjected to US sanctions and is currently operated by the Russian military.
The visit coincides with heightened diplomatic activity involving Russia and Middle Eastern affairs. Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, alongside the head of Russia's military intelligence, Admiral Igor Kostyukov, to discuss regional security issues.
Following its departure from Israel, the aircraft flew to Abu Dhabi, where peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to resume tomorrow.
