According to a report by The Jerusalem Post on Monday, April 20, 2026, Russian authorities have reportedly detained and questioned dozens of Israeli passengers upon arrival in Moscow, amid heightened geopolitical tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
According to a report by independent Russian outlet Mediazona, approximately 40 Israelis were held for several hours after landing at Domodedovo Airport on a flight from Tel Aviv.
The passengers, some of whom were said to hold dual Israeli-Russian citizenship, were reportedly subjected to extended questioning by security officials. During the period of detention, those involved were allegedly denied access to basic necessities, including food, water, and restroom facilities.
Sources cited in the report said security personnel requested that passengers unlock their mobile phones for inspection. The request was reportedly refused by those detained, after which authorities instructed all passengers to switch off their devices instead.
The questioning sessions, described as “conversations” by officials, reportedly included political messaging. Some passengers were told that Iran is considered an ally of Russia, and that adversaries of Iran are viewed as adversaries of Moscow as well. The remarks come against the backdrop of growing alignment between Russia and Iran on several international fronts.
Passengers were also allegedly informed that their presence in Moscow was unwelcome, with officials telling them they had “come for nothing.” Before being released, the individuals were reportedly required to sign documents warning them about the consequences of violating Russian laws.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, one source told Mediazona that the conduct of the security officials remained “polite and careful” throughout the process, particularly when issuing the documents to those detained.
An Israeli source, speaking to Ynet, confirmed that an incident involving Israeli passengers did occur, although they disputed the exact number reported. According to the source, the number of individuals involved was somewhat lower than 40, but still broadly in the same range.
