Russia establishes an air bridge with Libya
15 December, 2024 IL-76 aircraft. Photo: from open sources Using Il-76 cargo planes, Russia has established an air bridge with Libya, which passes through Turkey.
Itamilradar reported on this. Two Ilyushin-76TD aircraft (reg. RA-76841 & RA-76845) belonging to the Ministry for Emergency Situations (which also frequently performs missions on behalf of the Ministry of Defense) are alternating flights between Russia and eastern Libya (specifically Al Khadim Air Base, located east of Benghazi).
According to the media, although these aircraft formally belong to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, they also often fly missions on behalf of the Ministry of Defense.
Areas of control in Libya by different groups. Photo credits: Urich
Establishing such a flight service was made possible as Turkey remains the only NATO member that has not closed its airspace to Russian aircraft. According to AllEyesOnWagner, Libya's Al-Hadim base is a key transit point for Russia, used to move equipment and personnel to mines controlled by Wagner's mercenaries in the Central African Republic.
It is also used to export gold mined from these mines.
The route of Russian Il-76s from Libya through the Mediterranean Sea and Turkey. Photo credits: ItaMilRadar
It also serves as a hub for the "smuggling" of weapons into civil war-torn Sudan. This base also houses the premises where Russian soldiers are stationed.
According to Western experts, about 2,000 Russian troops are stationed in Libya, where they are supporting General Haftar's forces. In addition, Moscow's attention has shifted to Libya after the fall of the Assad government in Syria. It is being considered as a candidate for an air and naval base.
Reuters reports that Russian troops are also moving to bases in Libya after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.
In July 2024, Italy seized Chinese attack drones that were intercepted in one of the ports on the way to Libya.
On June 18, Italian government officials in the port of Gioia Tauro in southern Italy confiscated three containers of weapons en route from China to Benghazi in Libya.