Russia’s Algeria Military Air Bridge Runs Straight Through NATO Airspace

Algerian military transport aircraft are regularly flying to Russia through NATO airspace, including Poland, as part of an established logistics route linked to military cooperation between Algiers and Moscow, according to Defence24 on October 7.

The latest documented flight took place on October 6, when an Algerian Air Force Lockheed C-130H-30 Hercules flew from Boufarik Air Base in Algeria to Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport.

The aircraft crossed Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia before entering Polish airspace from the south. It then continued through Belarus before reaching Moscow.

According to Defence24, the flight was not an isolated case. In recent weeks, Il-76MD, C-130H/H-30 Hercules and LM-100J Super Hercules military transport aircraft have been recorded operating between Algeria and Russia, repeatedly using European airspace.

The exact cargo aboard the October 6 flight has not been publicly disclosed. Defence24 linked the regular traffic to broader military-technical cooperation between Algeria and Russia, including the transport of military equipment and personnel involved in servicing Russian-made systems operated by Algeria.

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Algeria remains a major operator of Russian-made military equipment and has maintained extensive defense ties with Moscow. The country operates Russian aircraft and air defense systems and has continued purchasing Russian weapons, including additional combat aircraft.

Earlier, Algeria became the first foreign customer to receive Russia’s Su-57E fifth-generation fighter jet, with the aircraft spotted flying over Algerian territory in February 2026. Algeria has also signed contracts with Russia for Su-34ME and Su-35 fighter jets as part of its broader military cooperation with Moscow.

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