BERLIN — A Russian freight aircraft recently landed in Venezuela and subsequently visited various allies of the Kremlin in Latin America, according to flight data, mirroring a similar route taken by the plane in August.
The Ilyushin Il-76, managed by Aviacon Zitotrans, a privately operated yet government-linked air cargo carrier, touched down in Caracas, Venezuela on October 26, as previously detailed by Defense News. Updated flight records indicate that on October 28, the plane headed to Havana, Cuba, and then flew to Managua, Nicaragua the following day. On October 29, it returned to Caracas and on October 30, it embarked on its return flight to Russia. The return route included stops in Nouakchott, Mauritania and Algiers, Algeria, before reaching Sochi and then proceeding to Moscow.
The exact purpose of this mission in Latin America is not clear from public records. Aviacon Zitotrans, along with several of its aircraft, has been sanctioned by Western nations for its role in transporting Russian military equipment globally. Despite these restrictions, the airline also caters to private cargo flights, although these services have been severely reduced due to sanctions against Russia. The company did not provide a comment on this matter by the time this story was published.
Private Russian cargo airlines like Aviacon play a critical role in bypassing the severe international sanctions imposed on Russia following its large-scale military actions in Ukraine since February 2022. These civilian aircraft are also used to support Russian military operations particularly in the global South, including regions in Africa formerly served by the now-disbanded Wagner Group militia.
This recent journey to Latin America occurs amidst escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. The Pentagon has been deploying military assets near Venezuela and has accused the Venezuelan government of participating in narcotics trafficking.
In response, Venezuelan officials have accused the U.S. of “manufacturing a war.” Furthermore, Caracas has reportedly sought military support from allies such as Russia, China, and Iran, according to a report by the Washington Post on October 31.
Russian authorities have not commented on a letter that reportedly detailed these requests, but they have expressed support for Venezuela’s efforts to protect its sovereignty, stating that Moscow is “prepared to respond appropriately to our partners’ requests in the face of emerging threats,” as per the newspaper.
The Il-76’s trip in October to Latin America is unusual for the Russian cargo fleet, which typically concentrates on routes to Asia and Africa. However, this was not the aircraft’s first visit to the region. In mid-August, the same Ilyushin arrived in Brasilia, Brazil from Conakry, Guinea. Over the next week, it made stops in Santa Cruz, Bolivia; Bogota, Colombia; Caracas; Toluca, Mexico; and Havana, before returning to Caracas and crossing the Atlantic to Nouakchott in western Africa.
In both instances, the aircraft followed indirect routes to reach Latin America, with multiple stops in the Caucasus and Africa. These frequent stops could suggest heavy loads requiring additional refueling, but they might also serve as a strategy to mask the aircraft and its cargo’s origins from observers. Due to prohibitions on entering Western airspace, Russian aircraft must navigate more complex and longer flight paths.
The Ilyushin Il-76 is capable of transporting up to 46 tons of cargo. According to Aviacon Zitotrans, the aircraft can carry either two Mi-8 or Mi-17 helicopters, three 20-foot containers, five Toyota Land Cruisers, or nine 463-liter pallets at once. The airline’s promotional materials highlight its specialization in “government and military airlifts,” transport of hazardous materials, aerospace projects, humanitarian and relief efforts, and even the transportation of live animals.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
