Russian Wagner Group-linked cargo jet makes rare flight to North Korea | NK News
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September 18, 2026Sep 18, 2026

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Russian Wagner Group-linked cargo jet makes rare flight to North Korea

Investigative journalists previously tracked the aircraft supporting the paramilitary organization in Africa

A Wagner Group-linked cargo jet operated by the Russian emergencies ministry made a rare trip to the North Korean capital over the weekend, suggesting the flight may be related to the Russian ambassador’s recent death or transporting military personnel, according to an expert.

The Ilyushin Il-76TD (tail number RA-76363) landed in Pyongyang at 11:36 a.m. KST on Saturday, flying in from Moscow after a stop in the Russian Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, according to flight data from Flightradar24. 

The jet was stationary for roughly two hours before flying back to Khabarovsk. After a three-hour stop there, the aircraft proceeded