Despite sanctions an ancient Belarus cargo aircraft flies arms to Libya
A Belarus airline named Rada Airlines flies regulary between Belarus and Benghazi in Libya. The cargo is extremely likely arms for the forces of warlord and commander in chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Haftar . Haftar is supported by Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and as it seems Belarus as well.
The series of so far five flights has its origin in a visit of one of the sons of Haftar to Belarus. Around October 11, 2024 Saddam Haftar arrived in Belarus accompanied by Lieutenant General Muhammad Al-Manfour Al-Amin, commander of the Aviation College in the eastern region. Saddam and Al-Manfour travelled to Belarus to negotiate arms deals and training for air force personnel. This was reported by Charter97.
Just one month after the visit, the first flight of an unusual series of flights connecting a former airbase in Belarus to Benghazi, the stronghold of Haftar, started at November 12 2024. An old Russian built aircraft of type IL62, which was converted from passenger aircraft to a freighter, flew the day before the short trip from its base in Vitebsk to the former airforcebase Orsha (Aerodrome Balbasava). The Rada Airlines IL62 with registration EW-450TR took an odd route. Instead of flying in Turkish airspace it flew a much longer route, avoiding Turkey and flying via Iran, Iraq and Syria to Libya. The next day the aircraft returned to former airforcebase Orsha , but now the shortest route flying through Turkish airspace.
Avoiding Turkish airspace on the way to Libya is a clear indication of the type of cargo on board. Turkey supports the Tripoli based government. It does so by supplying for example drones. So it is obviously Turkey does not want to assist the opponent by having arms fly through their airspace. Another reason to avoid Turkey is that Rada Airlines wants to avoid landing in Turkey in case of an emergency and Turkish authorities inspect the load.
On November 14 EW-450TR flew again from airforcebase Orsha in Belarus to Benghazi, avoiding Turkish airspace. On November 15 the aircraft flew to probably the base in Vitebsk.
On November 17 the IL62 departs Vitebsk for a short 26 minutes ferry to the former airforcebase Orsha.
At November 18 the aircraft makes its third trip to Benghazi again avoiding Turkish airspace. On 19 november the aircraft returns to Minsk in Belarus. On November 20 the aircraft is ferried again to Orsha.
On Monday November 25 the fourth trip to Benghazi, avoiding Turkish airspace. As as usual the next day the return flight to Belarus.
