In recent months, the Russian Il-96-300PU aircraft belonging to the Rossiya Special Flight Detachment has regularly appeared in the area of Novaya Zemlya in the Russian Arctic. This information is provided by the Flightradar flight tracking service.
Military expert Evgeny Damantsev suggested what exactly these flights may be connected with.
The actions may be classified as preparations for possible nuclear tests on Novaya Zemlya, which have been discussed quite a lot lately.
Colonel General Vladimir Verkhovtsev noted in August 2025 that the test site on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago is fully ready to resume nuclear testing. According to him, if officials make the decision, the tests can begin as soon as possible.
Recall that the last underground explosion on Novaya Zemlya took place on October 24, 1990. Between 1949 and 1990, the USSR conducted 715 nuclear tests, creating the foundation of the country\'s strategic nuclear shield.
The Il-96 is a Soviet wide-body long-range aircraft. In the Il-96-300 modification, it is used by the Rossiya Special Flight Detachment for important government transportation.
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