World · Middle East · 8 hrs ago
Russian military plane lands in Israel before reported Abu Dhabi summit
A Russian military Tu-154 landed at Israel's Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on Monday evening after flying from Chkalovsky air base.
The reason for the landing and the passengers were initially unknown, and Israel's military, prime minister's office and Russian embassy declined to comment.
An unnamed foreign source said senior Russian officials were aboard, including intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov, who had come at the request of the United States.
The plane then flew from Israel to Abu Dhabi, where senior officials from the United States, Russia and Ukraine were reportedly due to hold a peace summit.
Israel and Russia have previously held military talks about Russian forces in Syria, while Russia also has strategic ties with Iran.
The summit was the next reported step, but no official account of the plane's purpose or passengers was given.
A Russian Tu-154 military aircraft landed at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport before reportedly flying on to Abu Dhabi.
The plane took off from Chkalovsky Air Base and landed at about 9 p.m. local time the evening before the report.
Israel’s KAN television later reported, citing an unnamed foreign source, that senior Russian officials were aboard, including military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov.
KAN said the officials had come to Israel at the request of the United States.
The flight’s purpose and the identities of those aboard were initially unknown, and Israeli and Russian officials declined to comment.
- Who
- A Russian Tu-154 military aircraft; KAN later reported that senior Russian officials, including Igor Kostyukov, were aboard.
- What
- The aircraft landed at Ben Gurion Airport and reportedly later departed for Abu Dhabi.
- When
- It landed at about 9 p.m. local time the evening before the report published on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- Ben Gurion Airport in Israel; the aircraft had taken off from Chkalovsky Air Base and reportedly flew on to Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- The reason for the flight was not stated. KAN reported that the officials came to Israel at the United States’ request.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Tu-154 took off from Chkalovsky Air Base.
The aircraft landed at Ben Gurion Airport.
KAN, citing an unnamed foreign source, said senior Russian officials including Igor Kostyukov were aboard and had come at the United States’ request.
The aircraft reportedly departed Israel for Abu Dhabi, where a peace summit involving senior US, Russian and Ukrainian officials was reported to be planned.
- Aircraft
- Tupolev Tu-154
- Departure point
- Chkalovsky Air Base
- Landing point
- Ben Gurion Airport, Israel
- Landing time
- About 9 p.m. local time the evening before the November 10, 2026 report
- Reported passenger
- Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s Main Directorate of the General Staff, according to KAN
- Reported next destination
- Abu Dhabi