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Sanctioned Russian military aircraft lands at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel
The Jerusalem Post • • world
Key Points:
- A Russian Defense Ministry Tupolev Tu-154M jet, sanctioned by the US since 2023, landed at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday evening after departing from the Chkalovsky Air Base near Moscow.
- The aircraft, part of the 223rd Flight Unit accused by the US of supporting the Wagner mercenary group, flew over the Black Sea and Turkish airspace before circling and landing in Israel.
- The US sanctions under Executive Order 14024 target this unit for transporting Wagner personnel and equipment to conflict zones, with 37 aircraft including this one designated as blocked property.
- Both the Russian Embassy in Israel and the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the purpose of the flight or the passengers aboard.
- Flight tracking data showed the aircraft had been in Moscow for the past week prior to this unexpected trip to Israel.
