Russian Military Plane Lands at Ben Gurion; Passengers' Identity and Purpose of Visit Not Published

In depth

A Tupolev Tu-154M belonging to Russia's Ministry of Defense landed yesterday at Ben Gurion Airport and continued to Abu Dhabi. The plane, which belongs to the Ministry of Defense aviation unit in Moscow, arrived from a military base near the Russian capital. The aircraft has been on the US sanctions list since 2023.

The plane, which is used to transport senior officials and military personnel, landed at Ben Gurion Airport on a flight unlike any in recent years. The plane was previously used by the Wagner group. The aircraft took off shortly afterward for Abu Dhabi ahead of a peace summit between Russia and Ukraine, scheduled for tomorrow with US participation.

According to sources, the head of Russia's military intelligence arrived at the request of the US and held talks with senior officials in Israel's defense establishment. A source familiar with the details told Kan News that senior Russians were aboard the plane and that the landing may have been a stopover. The identity of the passengers and the purpose of the visit have not been published, and the IDF refuses to comment on the incident.