Russian Airlift to Tehran: Is Moscow Bolstering Iran’s Military Capabilities?

Misbar has tracked a series of flights from Moscow to Tehran in February, amid mounting regional tensions and reports of new Russian military deliveries to Iran.

In late 2025, Iran witnessed widespread protests triggered by currency volatility and worsening economic conditions. The first demonstrations, led by merchants on Dec. 28, quickly spread across broader segments of society and expanded geographically.

The U.S. president threatened possible military action against the Iranian government over what he described as “violence against protesters.”

On the ground, U.S. bases surrounding Iran saw a significant military buildup, including the deployment of air defense systems, strike fighters, aerial refueling aircraft and cargo planes, alongside a naval presence capped by two aircraft carriers in the Middle East.

Iran, for its part, has treated these threats seriously, particularly following its recent war experience with Israel and the United States in May. Tehran has sought to reinforce its air force and compensate for gaps in its air defense network, especially systems protecting strategic sites such as nuclear facilities, increasing the pace of weapons and equipment transfers.

Against this backdrop, Misbar documented an apparent air bridge between Russia and Iran throughout February, following reports that Tehran had received Russian air defense systems, helicopters and fighter jets.

Latest Flights to Iran in February

On Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, flight-tracking site Flightradar24 recorded the arrival of a Russian Ilyushin Il-76TD cargo aircraft, registration RA-76373, from Moscow to Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport.

The aircraft appeared to obscure its final destination, flying an unusual route and disabling its GPS tracking. It landed at 15:43 UTC and departed roughly three hours later at 18:09 UTC.

The Il-76TD is a long-range commercial variant of the Soviet-era Il-76 military transport aircraft. The plane is owned by Russia’s Gelix Airlines, a carrier known for providing military logistics services.

Designed during the Soviet period to operate under harsh conditions — including rough runways and severe weather — the Il-76TD has a payload capacity of approximately 50 tons and is considered a strategic airlifter.

The same aircraft was recorded on three consecutive days — Feb. 14, 15 and 16 — flying to Karaj Payam Airport near Tehran, according to Flightradar24 data. On Feb. 14, flight GC9810 arrived from Mineralnye Vody in southern Russia. On Feb. 15, flight GC9812 followed the same route, and on Feb. 16, flight GC9814 did likewise.

On Feb. 10, Misbar tracked the same aircraft via AirNav Radar flying from Kazakhstan to Iran. Although its destination was masked, geographic analysis suggests it likely landed at Maragheh Sahand Airport in northwestern Iran.

That same day, a Boeing 747-329SF cargo aircraft, registration EW-465TQ, arrived at Tabriz Airport from Minsk, Belarus, before departing Iran later that day. The aircraft remains, as of late 2025, part of the fleet of Belarusian cargo carrier Transaviaexport Cargo Airlines and is believed to be the only 747-300(SF) still in commercial service worldwide.

Flight-tracking data from Dec. 25–31, 2025, also showed intensified cargo traffic from Russia to Iran using Il-76TD aircraft. On Dec. 25, RA-76373 flew from Chelyabinsk to central Iran, again showing indications of concealing its destination, before return data suggested departure from Isfahan Airport. Additional flights were recorded on Dec. 29 and Dec. 31 from Mineralnye Vody to Tehran.

Why Do These Flights Matter?

The air bridge between Moscow and Tehran remains opaque, with no official disclosure of cargo contents. Iran is seeking to reassert control over its airspace and protect strategic infrastructure by upgrading air defenses and acquiring modern combat aircraft.

The appearance of Russian Mi-28NE Havoc helicopters over Tehran marked the first visible sign of on-the-ground Russian-Iranian military cooperation.

In late January 2026, a short video circulated showing the helicopter in Tehran, accompanied by low-resolution leaked images reportedly taken inside a hangar believed to belong to Iran’s PASC aerospace services company.

PASC operates a facility within Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran. Reports have linked the company to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and it is subject to U.S. and Western sanctions. The facility includes three large aircraft hangars used for maintenance and storage, potentially suitable for unloading sensitive cargo.

Further visual analysis by Misbar matched interior features of one hangar — including wall patterns, windows and structural fittings — with those seen in the leaked images, supporting the likelihood that the helicopters were delivered there.

A more recent video circulated Feb. 5 showed the helicopter flying near buildings resembling those surrounding Mehrabad Airport (coordinates: 35.69899, 51.29459). Satellite imagery analysis identified matching visual elements, including stadium lighting, storage hangars and power lines.

Capabilities of the Mi-28NE Havoc

Iran’s air fleet comprises roughly 300 fighter aircraft, many of which face operational and maintenance challenges due to sanctions and parts shortages.

Tehran has sought to leverage its comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Russia, signed in January 2025, to strengthen its air fleet with new fighters and missile systems.

The Mi-28NE is the export version of Russia’s Mi-28N attack helicopter. It is equipped with radar, thermal imaging and TV sensors, and a laser rangefinder. The aircraft carries a 30mm automatic cannon and can deploy a broad range of rocket systems.

It can also carry unguided rockets, aerial bombs and air-to-air missiles for self-defense. The helicopter is approximately 17.9 meters (58.7 feet) long, has a cruising speed of around 265 kilometers per hour (165 mph) and an operational range of up to 435 kilometers (270 miles).

The Mi-28NE features dual armored cockpits for the pilot and weapons operator and is equipped with electronic countermeasure systems and flare dispensers designed to protect against man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).

Read More

Graves Unearthed: Misbar Tracks the Timeline of Bulldozing at Gaza’s “British Cemetery”

Did Flightradar Expose Iranian Missile Systems Following Data Leak?