A jet operated by the Russian Defense Ministry landed in Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday evening, flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed.
The Tupolev Tu-154M, which departed from a military base near Moscow, has been on the US sanctions list since 2023.
The Chkalovsky Air Base from which the flight originated is the primary operational hub for the Russian Defense Ministry, which manages VIP transport and government missions for high-ranking military officials and official delegations.
The flight path went over the Black Sea and through Turkish airspace before entering Israel from the Mediterranean. The plane circled over Israel before landing at Ben-Gurion Airport at about 7 p.m.
Flightradar24 data showed that in the past week, the aircraft has remained in Moscow since arriving from Novosibirsk on November 2.
Aircraft sanctioned by US for assisting Wagner mercenary group
The aircraft belongs to the 223rd Flight Unit of the Russian Defense Ministry, itself a sanctioned entity, as the US State Department accused the unit of transporting personnel and equipment belonging to the Wagner mercenary group to countries where Wagner operated.
The aircraft was listed under Executive Order 14024, which authorizes sanctions targeting Russia's harmful foreign activities, including those connected to its war against Ukraine.
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 has reached out to the Russian Embassy and several US government bodies for comment.
Additionally, the IDF declined the Post's request for comment.