Russian Il-76 plane arrives in Venezuela amid tension with the U.S. and military buildup

English Posted on  —by Carro e motos
Russian Il-76 aircraft arrives in Venezuela amid tension with the US and military buildup

Russian Il-76 aircraft arrives in Venezuela amid tension with the US and military buildup (X @jurgen_nauditt)

A Russian military aircraft Il-76, previously used by the Wagner mercenary group, has arrived in Caracas, marking an increase in Moscow’s military presence in Latin America.

The landing comes after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro requested military assistance from Russia, China, and Iran in response to the intensification of US military activities in the Caribbean. These aircraft have previously been used to transport weapons, equipment, and mercenaries serving Russia.

The Il-76 is operated by Aviacon Zitotrans, a company that owns six transport aircraft and is sanctioned by the United States, Canada, and Ukraine due to its ties to Russian military structures. The company has previously supplied equipment to regions where mercenaries, including the Wagner Group, were active. Amid escalating tensions in the Caribbean, Venezuela sought Russian support with radars, missiles, and the modernization of Su-30MK2 fighters, even proposing a three-year financing plan with Rostec, the Russian state corporation.

In addition to Russia, Caracas intends to acquire radars from China and attack drones from Iran, with a range of up to 1,000 km and the ability to interfere with GPS signals. These movements take place in the context of the conflict between the United States and Nicolás Maduro’s government, which, according to Washington, favors drug cartels responsible for supplying the US.

Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @jurgen_nauditt | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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