Controversy Over North Korea Troop Deployment Rumors as Russian Aircraft Lands in Pyongyang... "Signs of High-Level Delegation Visiting North Korea"

Amid controversy over North Korea dispatching troops to the Ukrainian battlefield on behalf of Russia, the U.S.-based North Korea specialist media NK News reported on the 23rd that a high-level Russian delegation was spotted visiting North Korea.

Il-96-300 aircraft belonging to the Russian special flight squadron. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the flight tracking site FlightRadar24, a Russian special flight squadron-operated 'Il-96-300' aircraft departed Moscow Vnukovo Airport at 5 a.m. (KST) and arrived at Pyongyang International Airport around 2:30 p.m. The aircraft is known to be used by the Kremlin team accompanying Russian President Vladimir Putin.

NK News reported that the arrival of this aircraft in Pyongyang likely indicates it was used to bring a high-level Russian delegation to North Korea. Until this report, neither Russia nor North Korea had mentioned any plans for the Russian delegation's visit.

The Russian special flight squadron operates more than 12 aircraft labeled 'Il-96.' This squadron reportedly includes the personal plane used by President Putin during his summit visit to Pyongyang last June.