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Mystery Russian Military Plane Lands in Israel as Questions Swirl Over Secret Mission and Moscow’s Ties to Iran A Russian military aircraft used to transport senior officials and military personnel made an unusually rare landing at Ben Gurion Airport after flying directly from Chkalovsky Air Base near Moscow. The aircraft, a Tupolev Tu-154M identified as RA-85042, belongs to the Russian Defense Ministry’s 223rd Flight Unit, which has been sanctioned by the United States over its involvement in transporting personnel and equipment linked to the Wagner mercenary group. The mysterious visit comes amid sensitive regional developments. Russia maintains military forces in Syria, where Moscow and Jerusalem have historically coordinated to prevent accidental clashes. Russia also maintains strategic ties with Iran, whose senior security official Mohsen Rezaei recently visited Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin. The aircraft's passengers, the purpose of its visit, and whether it carried senior Russian military or diplomatic officials remain unknown. According to Israel's Kan News, both the IDF and the Russian Embassy in Israel declined to comment, leaving the unusual flight shrouded in mystery.