FSB Il-96 intercepted

On 19 April 2021 at around 09:22 hrs (LT), Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC, Colombian Air Force) Kfir fighter aircraft intercepted an Ilyushin 96 from the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB RF).

According to the Colombian authorities the Ilyushin Il-96-400VPU with registration RA-96104 (construction number 97693201004) deviated from its flight path over Colombian air space. The Colombian Command and Control Centre scrambled the Kfir fighters to meet the aircraft, which complied with the orders of the interceptor team and withdrew from the conflicting sector airspace.

The Ilyushin was intercepted near the northern city of Valledupar. Colombian officials also released a short video showing the moment of intercept of the Russian Il-96, but the video is not very clear.

The Kfirs were operated by Escuadrón de Combate 111 Dardos based at Palanquero, 160 km northwest of the capital Bogota.

Photo (just illustrative for the type) by Hans van der Wilt (Scramble Archive) / Image: FlightRadar24