Despite US and UK sanctions, Israel allows Russian military aircraft to land amid backlash ...

The developments have put Israel in a difficult diplomatic position, with tensions involving Russia, Western powers and the Horn of Africa adding to political uncertainty at and criticism from European governments over settlement activities in the occupied West Bank.

On Sunday, November 8, 2026, a Russian military aircraft sanctioned by Washington over its operator's links to the Wagner mercenary group landed at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.

Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed that the Russian Defence Ministry's Tupolev Tu-154M, registered as RA-85042, departed Chkalovsky Air Base near Moscow before landing in Israel at 7 p.m.

The aircraft, operating under flight number CHD85042, crossed the Black Sea and Turkish airspace before approaching Israel from the Mediterranean.

Neither Israeli nor Russian authorities have publicly disclosed the purpose of the visit or the identities of those aboard.

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The aircraft belongs to Russia's 223rd Flight Unit, a Defence Ministry transport organisation sanctioned by the United States on May 19, 2023.

According to the US State Department, the unit transported personnel and equipment for the Wagner mercenary group, which has operated in African countries including Mali and the Central African Republic.

In its sanctions notice, Washington said the unit had been "owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of" Wagner, whose assets were already blocked under US restrictions.

The designation was made under Executive Order 14024, which allows Washington to sanction individuals and organisations linked to Russia's activities, including its war in Ukraine.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway and all 27 European Union member states have imposed restrictions on Russian aviation.

Britain tightened its measures on March 9, 2022, making it "a criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to fly or land in the UK."

The Russian aircraft's landing comes at a time when Israel already has much on its plate, particularly criticism from Britain and other European countries over settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, alongside diplomatic opposition to its recognition of Somaliland, a territory that declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

Despite the opposition and Somaliland's lack of United Nations membership, Israel has pressed ahead with diplomatic relations.

Its first ambassador to the territory, Michael Lotem, presented his credentials in Hargeisa in late October 2026, marking another step towards establishing a permanent diplomatic presence.

Somalia , however, has rejected the move. In a statement issued on November 3, its Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's appointment of an ambassador and plans to establish an embassy in Hargeisa.

"These actions are null and void. The unity of the Somali nation is not negotiable," the ministry declared.

It added: "The establishment of diplomatic relations and permanent diplomatic missions requires the consent of the sovereign State, as provided for in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."

Saudi Arabia also opposed Israel's recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming its support for Somalia's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity while rejecting efforts to establish parallel authorities.

China has maintained a similar position. On October 23, 2026, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Djiboutian counterpart, Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, issued a joint statement opposing efforts to secure international recognition for Somaliland.

"The two sides firmly support Somalia in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose attempts to secure ‘diplomatic recognition’ for Somaliland, and oppose any form of collusion between Somaliland and the Taiwan authorities," the statement said.