Last update: January 5 , 2023
Around a dozen or so white painted, Russian built IL76 cargo aircraft are used by dodgy airlines for illegaly transporting arms to mainly Libya. This article will help to track these aicraft and the owners. I previously wrote an article about how old Russian built aircraft were used to transport weapons to Libya on behalf of the UAE.
For every IL76 I will provide as much as relavant information as possible. This article will be updated frequently.
Added to this article are you Libyan based Antonov 12 cargo aircraft registered 9U-BBC and 9U-BBD
Some good sources are this article titled The Battle for Libya: How to Beat the UN Arms Embargo (cache) and the March 2021 report of the UN Panel of Experts on Libya. Also the Twitter account Gerjon provides lots of interesting info.
TL-KBR
This is an IL18 (c/n 186009403 line no 469) used for passenger transport. It was last seen in Libya after havig spent some time in the Central African Republic. It was photographed in March 2022 while parked at Bangui airport. In January 2022 the aircraft was parked at Al Jufrah Air Base in Central Libya according a satellite photo. In February 2022 photos where made at Bangui CAR showing men wearig military uniforms exiting the aircraft. These are very likely Russian mercenaries working for the para military group Wagner.
Plane tracker Gerjon spotted the aircraft. Seen here in Libya and CAR. Gerjon posted this interesting information on the history of the aircraft. TL-KBR started as CCCP-75713 in 1966, used as Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft prototype. Following the collapse of the USSR, she flew for Daallo Airlines of jibouti as RA-75713 with external modifications still present .In the 2000s, the aircraft was converted to her current configuration with a 6-meter long tail stinger carrying sensors for aerogeophysical research, and was certified as flying test-bed RA-75713 in 2006.
9U-BBC
This Antonov 12 was first seen in Cairo with Burundi registration 9U-BBC. The livery of the aircraft is very similar to UP-AN218 (former EY-414)
9U-BBD
This is an orange / black painted Antonov 12 operating in Libya. This is likely the former UP-AN220 operated by Jupiter Jet. The aircraft was ferried around 10 December 2020 from Kazahkstan to Libya. It made a stop at Istanbul Ataturk airport. It operates from Banghazi Benina airport. (source)
TL-KMZ / TL-KPA
This IL-76 aircraft was parked at Bangui Central African Republic at least in the period October 2021 to November 16, 2021. Likely related to the Russian mercenaries who are active in CAR. The history of the aircraft is like the serial number completely unknown. Likely the TL- registration is illegal.
This aircraft flew a couple of times between Benghazi and Khmeimin Air Base in Syria at November 27, December 2, December 10, December 19, December 23 2022. The flightplan mentioned TL-KPA as registration. See also this blogpost .
how to identify: No titles. Complete fuselage is white. No cheatline. IL76-TD written close to theockpit windows. Grey nosecone. All white engine nacelles..
The hex code of this aircraft is 5100FE
5A-ILA
This is a previoulsy not spotted IL-76 wearing a new registration. The aircraft was first noted at Benghazi airport. The fuselage is white, the engine nacelles are white, the engine pylons are partly blue. Tail is also white. Behind the registration the Lybian flag is seen. IL-76 trackes Gerjon spotted this aircraft.
5A-EWX
This is former IL76-TD ST-EWX. It was likely illegally ‘registered’ to 5A-EWX by using some paint. It was seen at Benghazi around May 2021 and seems operational.
how to identify. No titles. Most part of the fuselage is white. The belly under the main entrance door near the cockpit is grey. No cheatline. IL76-TD written close to the nose. Grey nosecone. Grey engine nacelles. Rather large registration in black. Flag next to the registration.
type: IL76-TD
current operator: Libyan National Army
former registrations: ST-EWX
former operators, Green Flag Aviation, Sudan
serial number; 1013409282
ADSB hex-code mode-s: 07C024
last activity : around May/June 2021
5A-7656
One of the most interesting IL76’s is this 5A-7656. This aircraft was first noted carrying this fake registration during a parade of the Haftar Libyan National Army.
how to identify: No titles. Most part of the fuselage is white. The belly under the main entrance door near the cockpit is grey. No cheatline. IL76-TD written around 1 meter behind and below the last cockpit window. Grey nose cone. Grey engine nacelles.
type: IL76-TD
current operator: Libyan National Army
former registrations: UP-I7656, UR-CMB
former operators, “Jenis Air”
serial number; 0033446325
ADSB hex-code mode-s: 5082FD
last activity : May 29 2021 near Benghazi flying in parade
EX-76007
This IL76 has been used by many notorious airlines to fly cargo from UAE to Libya for Haftar. It flew on an AOC belonging to Jenis Air and Azee Air. In May 2021 it was reregistered to EX-76007 on an AOC of Kyrgyz Sapsan Airline.
The aircraft is very active. In December 2022 and January 2023 it flew for UAE-government from Al Ain to Benghazi. It flew to the private airfield in the east of Pakistan.
how to identify: No titles. Completely white fuselage including the belly. No cheatline. IL76-TD written around 1 meter behind and below the last cockpit window. White engine nacelles and nose. White wings. Black engine pylons /mounts
Gerjon made this image. It shows the characteristics of EX-76007
type: IL76-TD
current operator: Sapsan (using KGB flightnumber)
former registrations: UP-I7646
former operators: Jenis Air, Azee Air
serial number; 1023411378
ADSB hex-code mode-s: 6010E9 (used to be 683282 used by UP-I7646)
last activity : This aircaft flew from Amman to Osh, Kyrgyzstan for long term parking at May 26, 2021. At 16 Augustus 2021 it returned to UAE as flight KGB4946 destination Al Ain. .
Came back to its base at UAE. Was used by the UAE government to fly relief goods to Afghanistan. A UAE-flag was added next to rear part of the fuselage.
UR-BXQ
operating for “Maximus Air Cargo” out of the United Arab Emirates. The airline is former Experts Air Cargo. The aircraft made its last flight at February 2, 2022 from Kiev to Bila Tserkva (Ukraine). It is probably still there.
how to identify: Easy. It has a Maximus logo in the tail. Large Maximus titels behind the cockpit.
type: IL76-TD
current operator: Maximus Air Cargo
former registrations:
former operators:
serial number; 1023410360
ADSB hex-code mode-s: 5080DB
last activity : May 14, 2021: UAE- Kuwait- UAE. June 7 flying for NATO to Afghanistan as NAG38LE
9U-ILO
This is an unknown IL-76 which is very likely based at Benghazi. The aircaft appeared for the first time in July 2022 when it flew from Benghazi to Agadez, Niger using the invalid hex 020000. The last time ADSBexchange detected this hex was at November 16, 2022 . Very likely this aircraft flies in Libya only where there is no receiver of either FR24 or ADSBexchange.
In November 2022 it was seen in Amman, Jordan. Visually the aircraft looks identical to (the former) UP-I7651 last seen in LNA. However UP-I7651 had the ‘IL-76TD’ titles closer to the nose. It is possible the IL-76TD’ ‘titles were freshly painted as the registration changed.
The aircraft is likely part of in total three IL76’s based at Benghazi.
J. Helebrant made this photo in Amman
5A <unknown>
This IL-76 was also seen flying in the Libyan National Army parade at May 29 near Benghazi. The registration could not be read on the video of the parade. This is a different IL76 than 5A-7656. This can be seen by the height of the grey painted belly. The left image shows the unknown 5A registered aicraft. The grey colour starts around half of the main entrance door. The IL76-TD writing is close to the nose cone. 5A-7656 on the right picture
type: IL76-TD
current operator: Libyan National Army
former registrations: unknown. Candidates are UP-I7651 or UP-I7652
former operators:
serial number;
ADSB hex-code mode-s:
last activity : May 29 2021 near Benghazi flying in parade
most likely the 5A-xxxx aircraft is former UP-I7651
UP-I7651 has ‘IL – 76 TD’ text much closer to the nose cone than UP-I7652. The ending of the IL 76 TD (no dash) is behind the lower window of the observation area’. It seems the 5A-xxxx aircraft has the titles very close to the nose.
The IL76 at the parade has IL 76 titels which are close to the nose cone
UR-CIG
Zetavia is an Ukraine airline operating a couple of IL76’s. These aircraft were used by the UAE to transport arms to Libya. Recently Zetavia IL76’s were used to fly for NATO to Iraq and Afghanistan. However the aircraft also recently flew from UAE to Addis Abeba. UAE supports the Ethiopian regime in the battle against rebels in Tigray (north of the country).
how to identify: No titles. Most part of the fuselage is white. The belly under the main entrance door near the cockpit is grey. The grey starts around half length of the entrance door. No cheatline. IL76-TD written around 50 cm behind and below the last cockpit window. White nosecone. Grey engine nacelles in same colour as the belly.
type: IL76-TD
current operator: ZetAvia
former registrations:
former operators:
serial number; 1033416515
ADSB hex-code mode-s: 508270
last activity : Al Ain UAE to Addis Abeba May 21 , 2021
Zetavia
Zetavia IL76 aircraft are used for all kind of dodgy operations. In November 2021 the airline flew from Sharjah, Amman and Jeddah to Khartoum. Flighttracker @gerjon logged 21 flights by Zetavia and Fly Sky airlines. Zetavia used IL76 UR-CIB and UR-CTU.
Zetavia also recently flew for NATO countries. At November 28 it flew from Brindisi in Italy to Baghdad.
In the end of December 2021 four IL76’s of Zetavia were parked at Aqaba airport in Jordan. These were UR-CIF (arrival August 6, 2021) , UR-CTO (arrival October 19), UR-CIB (arrival nov 29) and UR-CPS (arrival December 25).
On January 4, 2022 UR-CTU flew from the Karup airbase in Denmark to Mali. This flight was likely in support for the sending of special forces.
EW-510TH
an Trans Avia Export Cargo Airlines IL76-TD operated by this Belarus airline. Could be this aircraft was donated to the LNA.
Photo below by Trevor Barlett
how to identify: all white fuselage. No cheatline. IL76-TD below the last cockpit window. Belarus flag behind the cockpitwindow. Grey nosecone. white engine nacelles. Part of the WFP letters on the tail can still be seen,.
type: IL76-TD
current operator: Trans Avia Export Cargo Airlines
former registrations:
former operators:
serial number; 0083485561
ADSB hex-code mode-s: 5100FE
last activity : March 12, 2021 flight Moscow to unknown destination in Libya
5A-DRS
This is a former Libyan National Army IL76. It has not been spotted for over a year. Probably broken up at Benghazi.
The aircraft is easy to recognize. blue engines, blue cheatline. Registration in the tail. This has not moved for a long time since parked at Benghazi. In May 2021 it was missing at least one of its engines.
type: IL76-TD
current operator: none
former registrations:
former operators: Libyan Air Cargo, Atlant-Soyuz Airlines, Aeroflot
serial number; 1033414474
ADSB hex-code mode-s:
last activity : april 2020 . Likely not active anymore
UR-CMD
a relative unknown aircraft. Was seen at Al Jufra Airbase in Libya. Hardly any photos on internet. The photo below was taken in Dubai in 2006. It has a blue ex-Aeroflot cheatline. No titles.
type: IL76-TD
current operator: unknown
former registrations:
former operators:
serial number; 0053460832
ADSB hex-code mode-s:
last activity : 2020 . Likely not active anymore
Unknown registration
Noticed at September 8, 2021 was a flight using a new ICAO mode-s code #6010DB. The IL-76 likely owned by Fly sky Airlines was using flightnumer FSQ7611 and flew from Al Ain in the UAE To Ethiopia. There was only one earlier flight using this hex code. That was on September 20, 2020 by flight FSQ7611.
EX-76003
operated by Fly Sky. The aircraft was seen at Bangui airport in Central African Republic. Likely related to Russian forces being active in the country (disguised as Wagner private army)
In September 2021 the aircraft was chartered by the UN and by the UAE to fly relief goods to Afghanistan.
Very easy to identify. It has a brown cheatline.
type: IL76-TD
current operator: Fly Sky
former registrations: UP-I7650
former operators:
serial number; 1033418596
ADSB hex-code mode-s: 6010DF
last activity :
May 3 2021. Enroute Libya back to base at Fujairah, UAE.
September: flying for UN WFP and UAE with relief goods to Kabul Afghanistan
UR-FSA
An all white IL76 operated by Fly Sky and seems to be based in Fujairah, UAE
how to identify: all white fuselage. Small IL76TD titles under the cockpit. No titles. Red paint surrounding the main entry doors on the left and righthand side. Grey nose cone.
Fly Sky is an airline which changed its name and registration a couple of times. Previously the airline used Europe Air as name.
Fly Sky has three different branches:
- Romania: FSG (started up by illustrious Ghilan Grigore of Sky Prim Air.)
- Kyrgyzstan: FSQ (see: http://flysky.kg
- Ukraine: FSU (see: http://flysky.co)
Later Fly Sky SRL (Romanian branch ) changed its name into Romcargo Airlines SRL.
These are the aircraft operated by the Ukraine branch.
0093498974: UR-COE (Europe Air)-> UR-FSA (Fly Sky Airlines)
1023412399: UR-CRN (Europe Air)-> UR-FSC (Fly Sky Airlines)
1023411368: UR-BXS (Europe Air)-> UR-FSD (Fly Sky Airlines)
1003403075: UR-EAB (Europe Air)-> UR-FSE (Fly Sky Airlines)
Grigore Ghilan is an intersting man. He owns many airlins. He is also the owner of Terra Avia (T8, Chisinau). This airline operates a former Thai Airways Boeing 747 freighter registered ER-BAG. Other, now defunct airlines are Sky Prim Air. Oscar Jet was lead by his son, Valdimir Ghilan
ROM Cargo Airlines seems also be owned by Grigore Ghilan. A former Thai Airways B747 Freighter registered ER-BBE landed at Liege airport in Belgium on a delivery flight from Jakarta on May 3, 2021. The aircraft did not fly thereafter. The aircraft has large ROM titles but is owned by Aerotranscargo. ROM suggests ROM Cargo Airlines.
French website Centpapiers has some info on Grigore Ghilan.
type: IL76-TD
current operator: Fly Sky
former registrations: UR-COE
former operators: Europe Air
serial number;0093498974
ADSB hex-code mode-s: 508359
last activity : seems very active for Al Ain heading to easterly direction in May and June 2021
Was seen at Ethiopia Harar Meda airport on September 7 2021. Is operating for the UAE government. At the same time Iran registred IL-76 EP-PUS was seen at the same airport. The IL-76 is likely used to transport arms for the Ethiopian armed forces.
UR-FSC
how to identify: all white fuselage. Small IL76TD titles under the cockpit. No titles. Grey engine nacelles . Photo via Russianplanes
type: IL76-TD
current operator: Fly Sky
former registrations:
former operators: Europe Air
serial number: 1023412399
ADSB hex-code mode-s: 5083E5
Was at Bishek in Kyrgyzstan parked with sister aircraft UR-FSA, UR-FSE and UR-FSD. Moved earlier from their base at Fujairah, UAE.
Was parked at Ethiopia Harar Meda airport for around 4 weeks in August 2021 since landing there at August 1
Was seen at Ethiopia Harar Meda airport on September 7 2021. Is operating for the UAE government. At the same time Iran registred IL-76 EP-PUS was seen at the same airport. The IL-76 is likely used to transport arms for the Ethiopian armed forces.
Graphic by Gerjon
UR-FSD
This is another IL76TD operated by Fly Sky and likely based at Fujairah, UAE . Probably was not used in the airbridge to fly arms from UAE to Libya. I could not find photos showing the aircraft with registration UR-FSD. This is former UR-BXS. The complete history can be seen at russian planes.net
The aircraft is completely white. It has a white nose cone while sister UR-FSA has a grey cone. Also IL76TD titles are larger and close to the windows near the observation area below the cockpit.
type: IL76-TD
current operator:
former registrations:
former operators:
serial number;
ADSB hex-code mode-s:
last activity : was tracked at June 7 flying over Gulf of Oman departing from Fujairah UAE heading East. Probably after a period of maintenance
Was seen at Ethiopia Harar Meda airport on September 7 2021. Is operating for the UAE government. At the same time Iran registred IL-76 EP-PUS was seen at the same airport. The IL-76 is likely used to transport arms for the Ethiopian armed forces.
UR-FSE
This is another IL76TD operated by Fly Sky and likely based at Fujairah, UAE . I could not find photos showing the aircraft with registration UR-FSE. This is former UR-EAB. The complete history can be seen here.
The aircraft is completely white. It has a grey nose cone. Small IL76TD titles below and behind the cockpit window. No titles. No red lining around the door like UR-FSA.
Feit of fake 