Sanctioned Russian Defense Ministry jet lands in Israel after departing Moscow military base

A Tupolev Tu-154M jet operated by the Russian Defense Ministry landed at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday evening, according to flight-tracking data. The aircraft, which departed from a military base near Moscow, has been on the US sanctions list since 2023. The Post sought comment from the Russian Embassy, US bodies, and the IDF, but received no response.

A Tupolev Tu-154M jet operated by the Russian Defense Ministry landed at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday evening, according to flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24. The aircraft, registration RA-85042, departed from Chkalovsky Air Base near Moscow, a military base that serves as the primary operational hub for the Russian Defense Ministry, managing VIP transport and government missions. The plane has been on the US sanctions list since May 2023 under Executive Order 14024, which targets Russia's harmful foreign activities, including its war against Ukraine. The 223rd Flight Unit of the Russian Defense Ministry, which operates the aircraft, is itself a sanctioned entity; the US State Department accused the unit of transporting personnel and equipment belonging to the Wagner mercenary group to countries where Wagner operated. As part of the May 19, 2023, action, the US identified 37 aircraft associated with the unit as blocked property, including RA-85042. The Jerusalem Post reached out to the Russian Embassy and several US government bodies for comment, but received no response. The IDF also declined the Post's request for comment. The article does not specify the purpose of the flight or whether any passengers were on board.