Trump-Putin Meeting: Russia’s Ilyushin Il-96 Lands in Alaska

ALASKA- A Russian government-operated Ilyushin Il-96-300 has landed at Elmendorf Air Force Base (EDF) ahead of a planned meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Anchorage (ANC) on Friday, August 15, 2025.

The aircraft departed Moscow Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) earlier today and completed a roughly 10-hour flight.

The flight, designated RSD381, is notable because Russian-registered aircraft typically cannot enter United States airspace, except under special diplomatic exemptions. The high-profile arrival has drawn attention from both political observers and aviation enthusiasts.

Photo: David McKelvey | Flickr

Russia’s Ilyushin Il-96 Lands in Alaska

The Ilyushin Il-96-300 departed Vnukovo (VKO) at 07:50 AM local time, traveling across Russian airspace, over the East Siberian Sea, then across the Bering Sea before entering US airspace. Arrival at Elmendorf Air Force Base (EDF) was scheduled for approximately 06:40 AM local time.

Reported by OMAAT, it remains unconfirmed whether Vladimir Putin was aboard, though the aircraft’s timing suggests it could be linked to Friday’s summit.

These exceptions for Russian aircraft are granted for specific diplomatic purposes. The Russian government’s Il-96 fleet has made occasional visits to the United States, often for rotating diplomatic staff or official state functions.

One notable case in March 2022 involved a direct flight from St. Petersburg to Washington to collect 12 expelled Russian intelligence operatives accused of espionage.

Photo: Björn | Flickr

Aircraft and Operational Details

The Il-96-300 is a long-range, widebody aircraft built in Russia, often used for government transport.

The plane on today’s flight is about nine years old and configured for official state use, including secure communications and VIP accommodations.

Although these aircraft visits are infrequent, they follow a predictable pattern when linked to diplomatic cycles or high-level meetings.

Flights typically operate in a triangular route from Moscow to New York (JFK) to Washington Dulles (IAD) and back every few months.

Photo: By Dmitry Terekhov from Odintsovo, Russian Federation – Ilyushin IL-96-300PU / RA-96021 / SLO “Rossiya”, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50348669

Historical Context

While the current trip is attracting attention due to its political backdrop, the Il-96 has been a fixture of Russian diplomatic aviation since the 1990s.

It remains in service despite the global shift to newer Western-built aircraft, as it is valued for its operational independence and national production.

Previous visits have often coincided with summits, United Nations sessions, or urgent diplomatic missions.

The airframe’s design allows it to operate long-haul segments without refueling, making it practical for nonstop routes between Moscow and US destinations.

Anchorage, however, is a less common stop. Its location makes it strategically favorable for direct polar routes, minimizing overflight permissions and reducing exposure to sensitive airspace.

The choice of Anchorage for this Trump–Putin meeting underscores its value as a neutral, logistically convenient location for bilateral talks.

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