A Russian government aircraft received special permission to cross two European state airspaces today.
GENEVA – A Russian government aircraft departed Geneva Airport (GVA) on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of a high-stakes, three-way summit between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. The Ilyushin Il-96-300, registration RA-96018, is currently making its way back to Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport (VKO), navigating a circuitous flight path necessitated by the enduring geopolitical landscape.
A Seven-Hour Odyssey
While a direct flight between Geneva and Moscow typically takes approximately 3.5 hours, the RA-96018 is expected to spend roughly 7 hours in the air.
Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, the European Union has maintained a strict ban on Russian carriers. However, this flight from the “Rossiya” Special Flight Detachment was granted special clearance to facilitate the diplomatic mission. Despite the exception, the aircraft did not take a direct route; after a brief transit through French and Italian airspace, the pilot steered the wide-body jet south toward Turkey.
The aircraft is currently cruising at 34,000 feet, crossing the Black Sea before it will finally turn north to enter Russian airspace. This “big detour” has become a visual metaphor for the complicated state of international relations.
Negotiations
The talks, which brought together envoys from Moscow and Kyiv under U.S. mediation, aimed to find a path toward de-escalation as the war nears its fourth anniversary. While the presence of all three parties at the same table in Switzerland was a notable diplomatic feat, the outcomes remain measured.
Both sides characterized the discussions as “difficult.” Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky described the sessions as “businesslike,” while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that “positions differ” and accused Moscow of attempting to stall the process.
Looking Ahead
As the Il-96-300 prepares for its descent into Moscow, the diplomatic world remains cautious. While no “breakthrough” was announced in Geneva, both the Kremlin and Kyiv have confirmed that another round of talks is planned for the near future.
For now, the skies over Europe remain mostly closed to Russian wings, save for these rare, long-haul exceptions that carry the heavy weight of peace negotiations.
