Putin’s plane from the “cocaine case” spotted en route to Alaska
15 August 09:45
on August 14, in the morning, an IL-96 of the Russian Special Flight Detachment with tail number RA-96023, which was previously involved in the so-called “cocaine case,” took off from Moscow’s Vnukovo airport for Anchorage, USA. It is currently unknown who is on board. This was reported by ArbatMedia, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The plane is used by high-ranking Russian officials, including Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova and Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.
The plane and the “cocaine case”
As a reminder, in 2016, suitcases with cocaine – about 400 kg – were found in a school at the Russian Embassy in Argentina.
The Argentine gendarmerie then released a photo of an airplane with the number RA-96023, which was allegedly planned to send drugs to Moscow.
Subsequently, the Russian Presidential Administration denied that the plane was involved in cocaine transportation and called the published photos probably faked.
The upcoming meeting between Putin and Trump
The departure of the Il-96 coincided with preparations for a summit between the presidents of Russia and the United States. The talks are scheduled for August 15 at 22:30 Moscow time and will take place at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base in a 5 on 5 format.
The Russian side, in addition to Vladimir Putin, will be represented by:
- foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov,
- defense Minister Andrei Belousov,
- minister of Finance Anton Siluanov,
- chairman of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev.
The American delegation will be headed by Donald Trump and will include:
- vice President J.D. Vance,
- secretary of State Marco Rubio,
- secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent,
- and special presidential envoy Steve Whitkoff.
Logistical problems for journalists
According to Alexander Yunashev, a Kremlin pool correspondent, Russian journalists flying to Alaska may have to spend the night at the stadium – there are no rooms in hotels, and the remaining rooms cost about 74 thousand rubles (38439.48 UAH – ed.) per night.
Sanctions and political background
The European Union has already stated that it has no plans to ease sanctions against Russia and is preparing the 19th package of restrictions.
At the same time, the White House emphasized that Donald Trump does not seek to impose new sanctions, relying on diplomatic methods. Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt said that the President is ready to resort to economic pressure if the negotiations fail, but that the main goal is a peaceful settlement of the war.
