Moscow downplayed the visit of a special diplomatic flight from the Kremlin's presidential fleet to the U.S. in late December, as speculation swirls over how the new U.S. administration will handle the fraught dynamics with Russia.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed the aircraft had traveled from Russia to the U.S., but said it was carrying "another rotation of diplomats," in remarks reported by Russian media.
Newsweek reached out to the Russian foreign ministry for further comment via email and to the White House.
Why It Matters
Russia's relationship with the U.S. is at its worst point in decades, and took a dive after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Nearly three years into the war, nuclear rhetoric is seeping into the conflict as Washington consistently backs Kyiv.
President-elect Donald Trump, now less than a month from his inauguration, has vowed to end the war in Ukraine in just a day. NATO officials have predicted the incoming president may try to do a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom he has said he has a good relationship.
Some officials worry the deal could be one that damages Kyiv, and there are concerns about how an end to active fighting would change the situation on NATO's eastern border in Europe.
What to Know
Flight tracking data shows an Il-96 with the Rossiya Special Flight Squadron departed from Moscow to St Petersburg on December 25, before leaving Russia's second city on December 26 and arriving in New York.
The aircraft then flew from New York to Washington, D.C., the same day, according to FlightRadar24. On December 28, the Il-96 left Washington for New York, before flying back to Moscow.
The Rossiya Special Flight Squadron is responsible for transporting Putin and "the country's top officials," according to Russian state media.
Roughly 2,500 people make up the Rossiya Special Flight Squadron, operating Russian Il-96 and Tu-214 aircraft, as well as Mi-38 helicopters, according to the state-run Tass news agency. FlightRadar24 tracks 60 aircraft belonging to the Special Flight Squadron, including 13 Il-96 aircraft and and five Tu-214 planes.
The unit is also referred to the 235th Separate Aviation Detachment.
According to the news agency, the unit was formed in 1956 when the then-Soviet leadership opted to use airliners, rather than military aircraft, to move Kremlin officials around the world.
The unit was based at Vnukovo airport, just southwest of the capital, Tass reported.
What Happens Next
With just weeks until Trump strides back into the White House, transitional work will likely continue in the background in preparation for January 20.
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