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Russian military intelligence chief visits Israel
Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU), conducted an unannounced visit to Israel, according to reports from Kan and The Jerusalem Post. A Russian military transport aircraft, a Tu-154M identified as RA-85042, landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday evening after departing from Chkalovsky Air Base near Moscow.
Sources indicate that Kostyukov and his delegation met with senior Israeli defense officials. The specific purpose and content of these discussions remain undisclosed. The visit reportedly occurred at the request of the United States.
The delegation departed Israel for Abu Dhabi on Monday. They are scheduled to participate in US-mediated negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates on November 10 and 11. The aircraft used for the trip belongs to a Russian Ministry of Defense unit that has been under US sanctions since 2023 for its alleged role in transporting Wagner Group personnel and equipment.
Entities
GRU · Igor Kostyukov · Israel · Israel Ministry of Defense · United Arab Emirates · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Igor Kostyukov, head of Russian military intelligence (GRU), visited Israel. aftabnews.ir · news.gooya.com · www.rmf24.pl · worldisraelnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The aircraft departed from Chkalovsky Air Base near Moscow. aftabnews.ir · news.gooya.com · www.rmf24.pl · worldisraelnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The delegation traveled to Abu Dhabi for US-mediated Russia-Ukraine negotiations on November 10 and 11. news.gooya.com · www.rmf24.pl · worldisraelnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The delegation met with senior Israeli defense officials. news.gooya.com · www.rmf24.pl · worldisraelnews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The visit was reportedly made at the request of the United States. aftabnews.ir
- [● 3 SOURCES] The aircraft used was a Tu-154M with registration RA-85042. news.gooya.com · www.rmf24.pl · worldisraelnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Israeli army, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Russian Embassy in Israel declined to comment on the visit. aftabnews.ir · news.gooya.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The aircraft's operator is subject to US sanctions. news.gooya.com · www.rmf24.pl · worldisraelnews.com