A heavy transport aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-76 registered RA-78765, landed this Sunday in Caracas, Venezuela, concluding a multi-day journey that has drawn the attention of observers. Departing from Russia, the aircraft followed a complex route crossing Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic, illustrating the persistent logistical ties between Moscow and Caracas.
A Strategic Itinerary Through Africa
<span;>According to flight tracking data, the four-engine jet undertook a long journey before its Atlantic crossing.
The route, which began in Russia, included notable stopovers:
* Yerevan (Armenia)
* Algiers (Algeria)
* Rabat (Morocco)
* Dakar (Senegal)
* Nouakchott (Mauritania)
This series of stops in North and West Africa, confirmed by Flightradar24 screenshots, likely served for refueling and crew rest.
This unconventional route is often used by Russian aircraft to avoid European and North American airspace, where they are subject to restrictions.
A Well-Known Aircraft and Operator
The aircraft is not an ordinary cargo plane. The Ilyushin Il-76 (NATO reporting name: “Candid”) is a pillar of Soviet and later Russian strategic transport, renowned for its robustness and its ability to carry heavy loads (up to 50 tons) over long distances, including from austere airstrips.
More importantly, the aircraft RA-78765 is operated by the Russian company Aviacon Zitotrans. This company is under Western sanctions, notably from the United States and Canada. Western governments accuse Aviacon Zitotrans of being linked to the Russian Ministry of Defense and of having transported military equipment and supplies for mercenary groups, including the Wagner Group, in various conflict zones.
Context and Implications
The arrival of this specific aircraft in Caracas highlights the close and ongoing relationship between Russia and Venezuela, particularly in the military and economic spheres.
Although the exact nature of the cargo carried by RA-78765 remains “unspecified,” the operator’s profile (under sanctions for military transport) and the destination (a strategic ally of Russia in Latin America) are fueling speculation. This type of flight is frequently associated with the delivery of sensitive material, military equipment, or the transport of personnel or goods as part of state agreements that bypass the international financial system. This same aircraft has also been spotted on controversial flights to other Latin American countries, such as Brazil and Cuba.
Coco Kabwika
