On Monday, December 2, russian Il-62 passenger aircraft (RA-8656), reportedly owned by Aeroflot, was allegedly seen in Ukrainian airspace near Dnipro. This information was noted by journalists from Telegraf, who tracked the plane using Flightradar24. If confirmed, this would be the third such sighting in recent days, raising questions about the aircraft’s purpose and path.
According to Telegraf, the flight data for the Il-62 aircraft remains incomplete, making it unclear where the plane originated or its destination. However, reported flight path suggests it entered Ukraine’s closed airspace from the east.
Read more: F-16s Demonstrate Effectiveness: Strengthening Ukraine’s Air Defense
While screenshots from Flightradar24 seemingly confirm the sighting, media suggests it might have been a technical glitch. Given Ukraine’s robust air defenses, the presence of such an aircraft would likely have resulted in interception or neutralization.
The Il-62 aircraft, infamous for its history of aviation disasters, has been retired from passenger service in russia but remains in use by the russian Air Force. Dubbed a “plane of death” due to its accident record, it is one of the few remaining models still operational in russia. As of 2024, only eight Il-62 planes are active, while over 150 have been decommissioned.
Whether the sighting was a genuine airspace violation or a data error on Flightradar24 remains uncertain. However, the incident underscores the tension and heightened scrutiny of aerial activity in the region amid ongoing hostilities.
Read more: Cost and Delivery Time of AIM-9X, the Budget-Friendly Missile For F-16 and NASAMS
