- A Russian military delegation led by the head of Russia’s military intelligence agency arrived in Israel on Saturday evening for meetings with senior Israeli defense officials before departing Monday for Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, according to two sources familiar with the visit who spoke to The Jerusalem Post.
- Admiral Igor Kostyukov, chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, known as the GRU, headed the delegation, which traveled aboard a Russian military transport aircraft.
- The aircraft made an unusual landing at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, raising questions about the purpose of the visit as Israeli and Russian officials declined to disclose who was aboard or whether the flight was connected to diplomatic or military discussions.
- The delegation departed Israel on Monday for Abu Dhabi to participate in US-mediated Russian-Ukrainian negotiations scheduled for November 10–11.
- The aircraft, identified as RA-85042, is operated by the Russian Defense Ministry’s 223rd Flight Unit, which faces US sanctions over its alleged involvement in transporting personnel and equipment for the Wagner mercenary group.
- The US State Department previously accused the unit of supporting Wagner operations in countries where the mercenary organization was active.
- On May 19, 2023, Washington designated 37 aircraft associated with the unit, including RA-85042, as blocked property under Executive Order 14024, which permits sanctions related to harmful Russian activities, including the war against Ukraine.
- The trip took place during heightened regional tensions and uncertainty surrounding the possibility of renewed fighting involving the US, Israel and Iran.
A Russian military delegation led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, chief of the GRU, arrived in Israel on Saturday evening. The visit, which remains shrouded in secrecy, is part of a broader diplomatic effort as Kostyukov prepares for negotiations in Abu Dhabi regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.12
The aircraft, identified as RA-85042, is operated by the Russian Defense Ministry's 223rd Flight Unit, which has been sanctioned by the U.S. for its ties to the Wagner Group. Washington designated 37 aircraft linked to this unit as blocked property under Executive Order 14024, which targets harmful Russian activities, including the war against Ukraine.5
Despite the aircraft's controversial status, it successfully landed at Ben Gurion Airport, raising questions about the nature of the meetings held with Israeli officials. Neither the Israeli Defense Forces nor the Russian Embassy provided comments on the visit, leaving the purpose of the trip unclear.
The timing of the visit coincides with heightened tensions in the region, particularly concerning U.S. and Israeli relations with Iran. There is no verified evidence connecting this flight to any specific diplomatic or military developments, further complicating the narrative surrounding the delegation's purpose.
Following their time in Israel, Kostyukov and his team are set to participate in U.S.-mediated negotiations scheduled for November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi, indicating a potential shift in diplomatic dynamics amidst ongoing conflict.
“The aircraft, RA-85042, belongs to the 223rd Flight Unit, which Washington sanctioned in May 2023 for alleged Wagner involvement. The delegation is set to proceed to Abu Dhabi for US-mediated talks on November 10–11, but Israeli and Russian officials have declined to comment on the visit's purpose.”
The Media Lineynetnews
