The Russian Ministry of Defense released footage showing President Vladimir Putin’s aircraft on a diplomatic mission, accompanied by four SU-35S fighter jets as it advanced toward the United Arab Emirates.
The video shows the presidential IL-96 flanked by two fighters on each side. The escort planes appear armed with R-73 and R-77 air-to-air missiles, underscoring the emphasis on security and protection surrounding high-level state travel.
Dmitry Peskov, the president’s press secretary, stated that the combat aircraft stayed alongside the president’s delegation for the entire flight to Abu Dhabi. This description highlights the routine security protocol that accompanies presidential travel, designed to ensure safe and orderly transit through international airspace and authorized overflight corridors.
On December 6, Putin arrived in Abu Dhabi to hold talks with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates. The discussions were reported to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, with potential implications for political cooperation and economic investment. The Russian side signaled that the talks would address a broad agenda tied to strategic partnership, regional stability, and potential collaboration across sectors of mutual interest. Subsequently, the Russian leader planned a visit to Saudi Arabia on the same day, signaling an expanded regional outreach beyond the UAE meeting.
Earlier statements from the UAE leadership indicated that Putin had been briefed on progress and prospects for expanding investment in the Russian economy, reflecting a shared interest in deepening economic ties and diversifying markets. The exchange demonstrates how high-level diplomacy often intertwines security considerations with economic diplomacy, aiming to foster a more integrated regional framework for trade, technology, and development projects. This event underscores how bilateral and regional cooperation can align security protocols with economic strategy, creating pathways for future collaborations across energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors—an alignment reported by official sources and analyst briefings.