An unexpected visit to Israel. The head of the GRU met with representatives of the Ministry of Defense
The Tu-154M aircraft of the Russian Ministry of Defense landed at Ben Gurion Airport at the request of the United States
Quick Look
- A Russian Tu-154M military aircraft subject to US sanctions from 2023 landed on Sunday evening at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel at the request of the United States.
- On board was the head of the GRU, Andrei Kostyukov, who is to participate in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations with US mediation in Abu Dhabi.
- Relations between Russia and Israel remain relatively good, even though Israel has condemned the invasion of Ukraine and has not joined Western sanctions.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A Russian Tu-154M military aircraft belonging to the Russian Ministry of Defense has been under US sanctions since 2023 for transporting personnel and equipment of Wagner Group mercenaries. Relations between Russia and Israel remain relatively good, although Moscow's cooperation with Iran is a source of tension. Israel has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but has not joined Western sanctions and has avoided handing over weapons to Kiev. In the past, the militaries of both countries coordinated operations in Syria to avoid accidental clashes.
A plane under sanctions?
Israeli public broadcaster Kan earlier reported that a Russian Tu-154M military plane, which took off from a base near Moscow, landed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on Sunday evening. According to Kan, the Russian plane landed in Israel at the request of the United States.
The Jerusalem Post reports that the plane belongs to the Russian Ministry of Defense and has been subject to US sanctions since 2023. According to Washington, the unit is used, among others, to transport personnel and equipment of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group who participated in armed conflicts in various parts of the world.
It is not known what the talks between the Russian delegation and Israeli representatives were about.
Relations between Russia and Israel are relatively good
After leaving Israel, the Russian plane headed to the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Kostyukov and the remaining members of the delegation are to participate on Tuesday and Wednesday in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations conducted with US mediation. These will be the first trilogues since February 2026.
Kan emphasized that the landing of the Russian plane is a unique event.
In the past, the militaries of both countries maintained close contacts, coordinating operations in Syria to avoid accidental clashes. However, since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Russia has significantly reduced its military presence in Syria.
Israel's relations with Russia remain relatively good, although Moscow's cooperation with Iran is a source of tension. Israel has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but has not joined Western sanctions and has avoided handing over weapons to Kiev.
The Russian embassy in Israel and the Israeli army refused to comment on the visit of the GRU chief.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Russian-Ukrainian negotiations with US mediation will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What were the talks between the Russian delegation and Israeli representatives about?
- Why did the United States ask for a Russian plane to land in Israel?
- Will the Russian embassy in Israel and the Israeli army comment on the visit of the head of the GRU?
