Between 8:16 AM and 8:46 AM UTC on September 12th, 2025, reports emerged of a Russian cargo plane, identified as an Il-76MD CANDID RA-76370 NKP8371, flying over Ukrainian airspace, though its exact trajectory and intent remain unclear. Flight tracking sites initially reported the aircraft over Ukrainian territory, noting unusual signal behavior that deviated from typical loss-of-signal indicators, according to a report from [@KyleJGlen](https://x.com/KyleJGlen/status/1966420726946181590). However, another source, [@thereccelizard](https://x.com/thereccelizard/status/1966419167734583638), stated the plane took off from Moscow (ZIA) and, while appearing to fly over Ukraine, clarified that it was not. This source suggested the flight might be a deliberate provocation by Russia to elicit radar responses from Ukraine that could then be targeted. This development occurs in the context of ongoing drone activity. Earlier this morning, between 7:31 AM and 8:16 AM UTC, drone strikes targeted Russia's largest oil-loading port, Primorsk, causing a fire at an oil loading point, as confirmed by the Leningrad governor. Separately, drone strikes were also reported in Polish airspace. The Financial Times reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin views these drone attacks as an 'air defense test' that encourages further action. Previous reports also detailed drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in the Vladimir and Smolensk regions, as well as shelling of a laboratory storing uranium in Kharkiv.
