The Italian military aviation tracking platform ItamilRadar reported that a Russian Air Force aircraft conducted a long-distance flight from Russia to Libya this week, following an unusual route that passed directly through Turkish airspace before reaching northern Libya.
The flight has drawn attention among military observers due to the geopolitical implications of Turkey allowing Russian military overflights at a time when other NATO members have closed their skies to Moscow.
According to ItamilRadar, the aircraft was an Ilyushin Il-62, a long-range Russian military transport jet often used for strategic missions, personnel movement, or logistical operations.
The aircraft departed southern Russia, crossed the Black Sea, and entered Turkish airspace from the north. It then flew along Turkey’s coastline, maintaining a steady path before turning south over the Mediterranean and continuing directly toward Libya, where it ultimately reached its destination in the country’s north.
The monitoring site emphasized that the route was “not typical” for Russian military flights bound for eastern Libya. Previous Russian flights to Libya have generally taken different corridors that avoid heavy reliance on Turkish-controlled airspace.
Military analysts say the route is noteworthy because it highlights the unique position Turkey holds within NATO. Ankara is now the only alliance member that continues to grant routine overflight approvals for Russian military aircraft. While all other NATO countries shut their airspace to Russian military aviation following the escalation of the war in Ukraine, Turkey maintains limited but strategic cooperation, allowing Russian aircraft to transit between Russia, Syria, and Libya.
Data published by ItamilRadar shows the Il-62 carefully avoiding all European NATO airspace, relying exclusively on Turkish overflight corridors to reach the Mediterranean.
