Is Russia building up its military presence in Eastern Libya? Also Belarus is operating many flights to Libya.

A remarkable increase in the number of military flights to Libya could indicate Russia in building up its presence in Libya. This is likely a result of the defeat of Assad in Syria. Russia needs a new base for its activities in Africa. Also Belarus aircraft are flying to Benghazi very often.

update: April 1, 2025

Earlier this website reported about a remarkable number of cargo flights operated by an old IL62 freighter out of Belarus to Benghazi in Libya. At December 4 EW-450TR did its last flight from Belarus to Benghazi. Since then more cargo flights were noted.

At November 13 Belavia B737-800 EW-456PA flew Minks to Benghazi as BRU8802. This is not a regular route. It returned to Minsk the same day.

This flight was also operated at December 19 but by Belavia Boeing 737-800 EW-455PA.

Belarus Rubystar flew its IL76 freighter EW-383TH from Minsk to Benghazi at December 7. It returned to Minsk the next day. The aircraft flew on December 8 Minsk-Benghazi and returned to Minsk the same day. At December 12 the aircraft again flew Minsk to Benghazi. At December 13 the aircraft returned to Minsk.

Rubystar flew its IL76 freighter EW-567TH at December 14 from Minsk to Benghazi Benina airport. It used Turkish airspace. This aircraft left the scene for flights in Indonesia.

Rada Airlines EW-450TR IL62 flew at December 18 from Belarus to Benghazi. It again used Turkish airspace. The next day it departed Benghazi to Sharjah. It returned to Belarus at December 20. Not sure why it made a stop in Sharjah.

TransAviaExport IL76 EW-355TH flew at December 20 from Minsk to Benghazi. A remarkable flight as the aircraft did not fly in whole 2024 except for a local test flight at December 10. At December 24 again a flight from Minsk to Benghazi. The aircraft returned December 25 to Minsk. This continued for months. A couple of times EW-355TR flew from Minsk to Benghazi. It flew this route at December 27, 30 , January 25, 29, 31, February 4, 25, 27, March 5, 8, 20, 25. The aircraft always returned the next day from Benghazi to Belarus. This aircract exclusively flies from Minsk to Belarus since December 2024. There was just one flight to another destination, being Tehran.

Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations IL76 RA-76841 flew as flight SUM9625 on December 12 2024 from Anapa in Russia to Al-Khadim air base near Benghazi. At December 13 to flew to Anapa and returned the same day to Benghazi. At December 15 the aircraft flew to Anapa. After a stop of a few hours the aircraft flew to Al-Khadim air base. At December 16 in the afternoon RA-76841 took off from Al-Khadim and headed southwest. Destination was Bamako in Mali. At December 17 the aircraft departed Bamako and likely landed at Al-Khadim air base. It made a stop at Al-Khadim air base and then continued towards Russia. At December 19 the aircraft flew from Moscow to Bamako with a stop at Al-Khadim.

Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations IL76 RA-76845 flew on December 13 from Moscow via Anapa to Al-Khadim air base . It then continued to Bamako in Mali. Russian special forces are active in Mali. At December 16 the aircraft returned to Al-Khadim air base, made a stop of a few hours and continued to Anapa. After a short stop the aircraft flew again to Al-Khadim air base for stop and continued to Bamako. At December 17 the aircraft left Bamako, made a stop at Al-Khadim and continued to Moscow. At December 24 the aircraft again flew Moscow to Bamako. Returning at December 25. Both with stops at Al-Khadim.

At December 26, 2024 for the first time since Assad left Syria a Russian Air force Antonov 124 flew from Khmeimin in Syria to Al Khadim Air base in Libya. Flightnumber RFF401 registration RA-82038.

Photo by Toshi Aoki – JP Spotters