Russian Government Il-96 Flight RSD780 Heads From Moscow to Cologne/Bonn

A Russian government Ilyushin Il-96-300 operating as flight RSD780 is flying from Moscow Vnukovo Airport to Cologne/Bonn Airport in Germany.

Flight-tracking data identifies the aircraft as RA-96018, operated by Russia’s Special Flight Squadron. The flight is scheduled to arrive at Cologne/Bonn at about 9:42 a.m. local time on September 16. 

The reason for the government aircraft’s trip to Germany was not immediately clear.

Because this is a Russian state aircraft rather than a normal commercial service, the flight is likely to attract attention, but I would avoid speculating about who is onboard or the purpose of the trip unless an official source confirms it.