Russian jet lands in Berlin despite EU ban

A Russian Il-96-300 jet landed at Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany on April 22, 2023, after taking off from Moscow despite an EU-wide airspace ban.

The plane stayed for around three hours before flying back to Russia. The purpose of the flight was initially a mystery, but Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova revealed that the plane was collecting more than 20 German diplomats who were being expelled from Russia.

Moscow said it took the decision in response to Germany ordering a “mass expulsion” of Russian diplomats.