The heavy transport aircraft An-124 "Ruslan" of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) of Russia flew from Irkutsk towards Iran. The flight was operated by the 224th flight detachment.
Presumably, the flight is related to military-technical cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
The plane took to the sky from the territory of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, where multi-purpose Su-30 fighters and Yak-130 combat trainers are produced.
The transit flight was recorded on September 27, before entering Iranian airspace, the Ruslan crew turned off the transponder, which does not allow to accurately determine the destination.
Characteristics of An-124 "Ruslan":
- Crew — 4-6 or 6-7 people depending on the modification
- Maximum take-off weight — 405,000 kg
- Maximum payload — 120–150 tons
- Cruising speed — 865 km/h
- Practical range — 16,500 km
- Service ceiling — 12,000 m
In 2015, Russia modernized 22 An-124 aircraft. The air freighters were updated with a navigation system, avionics, chassis, fuselage, wings, and also increased payload capacity.