Russian FSB Il-96-400 Completes Flight Mission to Venezuela and Cuba
In late January 2025, an Il-96-400 aircraft, registration 96104, belonging to the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB)—the successor to the Soviet KGB—completed a flight mission with stops in Caracas, Venezuela, and Varadero, Cuba.
Speculation Surrounds the Mission's Purpose
While no official details have been released regarding the purpose of the flight, the deployment of this aircraft—one of the most advanced in Russia's fleet and equipped to function as an airborne command post—has sparked speculation about security operations and bilateral cooperation, according to AEROIN, our media partner.
The Il-96-400: A Strategic Aircraft
The Il-96 was designed by the Ilyushin Design Bureau in the late 1980s and has been produced in limited numbers in Voronezh since 1993, primarily for governmental flights.
The specific model observed in Cuba and Venezuela is known for its ability to serve as a military command center, equipped with advanced communication and control systems that allow high-ranking officials to maintain operational command during international deployments.
Although the objective of this mission remains unclear, the dispatch of such a high-level FSB aircraft to countries like Cuba and Venezuela strongly suggests Russia’s continued strategic engagement in Latin America, with potential geopolitical and security implications for the region.
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