Russia has organized a government plane to transport a group of diplomats from Washington DC back to Moscow, following the recent suppression of the Wagner group mutiny. The State Department acknowledged the plane’s arrival and emphasized that it is a standard procedure, while also reminding Russia to reciprocate such protocols for the return of U.S. diplomats. This development occurs amidst lingering concerns over the recent insurgency led by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, offering Moscow officials an opportunity to gain insights from the returning diplomats regarding the perception of events in the United States.

The Ilyushin Il-96-300 plane departed from Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport at 10:05 am on Tuesday. Taking a circuitous route to avoid E.U. airspace, it flew north and crossed the Atlantic before landing at Dulles airport in Washington DC at 2:08 pm, following an 11-hour journey. A State Department spokesperson confirmed the flight and highlighted the reciprocal nature of diplomatic transport arrangements between the two countries.

The exact number of passengers boarding and disembarking the plane remains unknown. There is speculation that the aircraft may include intelligence agents who could potentially engage in discussions with their U.S. counterparts. A former U.S. intelligence agent suggested the possibility of “high-level diplomatic meetings” between Russian diplomats and the U.S. State Department, although no concrete information is currently available.

Notably, the plane has been deployed to other destinations in the past week. It made a stop in Delhi coinciding with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House, as the U.S. sought to reduce India’s reliance on Moscow and garner support against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, the plane was present in Vietnam ahead of a planned visit by the head of Russia’s State Duma, Volodin Vyacheslav Victorovich, which was subsequently canceled due to the Wagner uprising. Vietnam maintains significant ties with Russia in terms of military equipment and energy investments.

While Wagner leader Prigozhin reportedly finds refuge in Belarus, the repercussions of his audacious march towards Moscow continue to reverberate. The survival of Prigozhin amidst the turmoil is viewed as remarkable, and it remains uncertain how the failed uprising will impact the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. President Putin’s perceived weakening as a result of the event adds further complexity to the situation.