The Russian military plane that landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, November 8, was carrying a senior delegation led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of the Russian military intelligence agency GRU. The delegation held undisclosed meetings with senior Israeli security officials. The delegation arrived at Washington's request.
A US-certified Tupolev Tu-154M (RA-85042) departed Israel for Abu Dhabi on Monday, ahead of US-brokered Russia. Ukraine peace negotiations are scheduled for November 10-11, in which Kostyukov is expected to participate.
The purpose of the Israeli meetings remains unknown, while the IDF, the Prime Minister's Office and the Russian Embassy refused to comment.