Russian aircraft arrived in Alaska late Thursday ahead of a closely watched summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which would mark the first time the two leaders have met in person since talks on ending the war in Ukraine intensified.

A Russian air force Ilyushin Il-96-300 landed in Anchorage, touching down at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson ahead of the high-profile meeting scheduled for Friday, according to Russian Telegram channels.

The aircraft, part of Rossiya, Russia’s special flight detachment, left Moscow’s Vnukovo airport and drew significant attention en route. According to Flightradar tracking data, more than 18,000 people monitored the jet’s path from Russia to Alaska.

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