Moscow is sending a message in all directions: they will not betray their ally.
Russia is issuing clear warnings to the U.S. “hawks” who are considering a military operation against Venezuela— not only through its “Oreshnik” and “Burevestnik” missiles, capable of striking any point on American soil, but also through bold maneuvers, such as the recent deployment of an Il-76TD aircraft to Latin America.
Moscow is signaling to Washington that it has no intention of surrendering its Latin American allies to American influence.
This is shaping up to be a dangerous geopolitical confrontation with far-reaching consequences for the global balance of power.
Given that Russia is at least five—if not ten—years ahead in hypersonic missile technology, it is making it clear that it will not abandon its valuable allies and is prepared to secure its geopolitical positions, even if that means overturning the West’s strategic plans.
As military analysts emphasize, Moscow has the necessary weapons to ensure this outcome.
Upending the balance with Russia’s superweapons
According to military analysts, the “Oreshnik” and “Burevestnik” missiles are set to overturn the current global balance.
It is no coincidence that China, referring to the “Burevestnik,” described it as a “shock to NATO,” while U.S. media rushed to proclaim the end of Trump’s “Golden Dome.”
Russian missile expert Yuri Knutov described the “Burevestnik” as “the Doomsday superweapon.”
“This missile has a guidance system, electronics, and everything needed to bypass and overcome air defenses.
The ‘Burevestnik’ has no rival in the world—and none will exist anytime soon.
Russia is five to ten years ahead of other nations in this field,” Knutov said.
Another missile expert, Alexey Anpilogov, added:
“The American air defense system is designed to intercept missiles coming from the North Pole.
For a long time, that was the most likely route for an attack on the U.S.
But the ‘Burevestnik’ changes that entirely.
Its mere existence could force the U.S. to build a regional defense system—something that would cost Washington vast sums. In other words, American defense spending will rise dramatically,” Anpilogov concluded.
Oreshnik… in Miami?
On Sunday, October 26, a Russian Il-76TD transport aircraft belonging to the airline “Avikon Citotrans” landed in Venezuela—with an unknown cargo.
Since January 2023, the company has been under U.S. sanctions, while Venezuela itself has been under increasing pressure from Washington in recent weeks.
The American establishment has openly threatened the Bolivarian Republic with a ground invasion and has “advised” President Maduro to flee to Russia or China.
Under these circumstances, Moscow has declared its determination to provide every possible form of assistance to its ally—and the arrival of the Il-76TD was the first signal of that intent.
A thorn in the Hawks’ throat
Venezuela has long been a sharp and painful thorn in Washington’s side.
The emergence of a “second Cuba” on the Latin American continent does not fit into the U.S.’s hegemonic plans.
In 1999, former military lieutenant Hugo Chávez became president of Venezuela.
Within a year, he amended the country’s constitution, renamed the nation in honor of the anti-colonial hero Simón Bolívar, and declared himself a socialist and anti-imperialist.
At that time, George W. Bush was president of the United States, and Venezuela went through two major crises with Washington: the attempted coup of 2002 and the expulsion of the U.S. ambassador in 2008 as an act of solidarity with Bolivia.
The Maduro era
When Nicolás Maduro assumed the presidency after Chávez’s death in 2013, he continued his predecessor’s anti-colonial path.
The following year, he expelled three U.S. diplomats, accusing them of inciting violence.
In 2019, Venezuela was rocked by its most severe political crisis yet, when opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president and received political support from the West.
The Maduro government was subsequently hit with a series of economic and diplomatic sanctions.
The rebel invasion
In May 2020, an armed invasion attempt by Venezuelan rebels took place in the coastal city of Macuto.
Among those captured were two American citizens—both former members of U.S. special forces.
Later that same year, U.S. oil company Halliburton was forced to withdraw from Venezuela.
Over the next three to four years, efforts were made to normalize relations, and some sanctions were eased—but Washington continued to view the Maduro regime as something that had to go.
A war on the drug cartels
Now, in 2025, Washington’s “hawks” are disguising their old objective behind a new banner: the “war on drugs.”
On August 7, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced an increase in the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture—from $25 million to $50 million.
Maduro was once again accused of “collaborating with drug cartels.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an interview with Fox News, called the Venezuelan president “a terrible dictator.”
“We will work toward that goal,” Rubio admitted openly when asked whether he wanted Maduro’s regime overthrown.
American forces off the Venezuelan coast
On August 21, the United States deployed a strike naval group near Venezuela’s shores—three destroyers, two amphibious ships, reconnaissance aircraft, and at least one submarine.
In September, U.S. forces began airstrikes on small boats in the Caribbean Sea, claiming they were carrying narcotics.
Around 40 people have already been killed, but the names of the supposed “Venezuelan narco-terrorists” have not been disclosed by Washington.
In recent days, discussions in the White House have turned to the possibility of a “ground military operation.”
By October 23, ten American vessels—including destroyers, amphibious ships, and supply tankers—were present in the area.
Why the obsession?
Venezuela is neither the only nor the most dangerous drug producer or supplier for the U.S.
The substance that truly terrifies Washington—fentanyl—is mainly produced in Mexico.
As for cocaine, a recent U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) report stated that 84% of all cocaine seized in the U.S. originates from Colombia.
While the report mentions several other countries, Venezuela is not listed at all under the “cocaine” section.
Moreover, the main drug trafficking routes do not pass through the Caribbean—where U.S. forces bombed small boats in September—but along the Pacific coast.
The “black gold”
The first and most accurate answer is “black gold.”
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves—303 billion barrels, accounting for 17.5% of global reserves.
Its main exports go to China, the country’s largest creditor.
Beyond oil and China, there is Russia—Venezuela’s key supplier of weapons and military equipment.
Russia’s military assistance
Since 2005, Russia has supplied Venezuela with modern air defense systems—Antey-2500, Buk-M2E, Igla portable missiles—along with Su-30MK2 fighter jets and military helicopters.
In July 2025, the first phase of a Kalashnikov ammunition factory in Venezuela was completed, with an annual production capacity of 70 million bullets.
The project is being carried out by Rosoboronexport.
In 2009, Moscow and Caracas signed a weapons and equipment contract worth $11.5 billion.
Through Iran
Russia also provides military-technical assistance to Venezuela through another major U.S. adversary—the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The cooperation among China, Russia, and Iran regarding Venezuela is a real headache for Washington.
Creating a focal point of tension in the region allows the White House to carry out hybrid attacks on Moscow and Beijing—and the BRICS more broadly—while maintaining control over the global energy market.
The “Monroe Doctrine 2.0,” aimed at securing U.S. economic and political dominance in the Western Hemisphere and expelling other global players, is now fully revealed.
The Russians don’t abandon their allies
In this context, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill on October 16, 2025, to the Federal Assembly to establish a strategic cooperation and partnership with Venezuela.
On October 21 and 22, both the State Duma and the Federation Council swiftly ratified the document.
Moscow is sending a message to the world: they will not betray their ally.
The precious cargo
At the same time, on October 22, an Avikon Citotrans aircraft departed from Russia.
Its cargo remains unknown.
However, the flight route—with stopovers in Armenia, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Mauritania—was anything but routine.
It is clear that the organizers carefully planned the route and security of the valuable shipment.
As for its contents, any speculation is merely that—and rightly so.
Theories
It can be assumed, however, that the Il-76TD (which can carry up to 45 tons) might theoretically be transporting various military-technical supplies—such as air defense equipment, communications systems, or electronic warfare gear—alongside strategically important humanitarian cargo.
Whatever the package contains, it serves as a serious warning to the neoconservatives: don’t play with fire, don’t provoke another military conflict as you did in Ukraine (though, in that case, it was mostly the Democrats “playing”).
Venezuela’s critical importance to Moscow
Beyond supporting Maduro’s legitimate government, Russia has every right—and obligation—to protect its global interests in Venezuela.
Venezuela is the heart of Latin America, a strategic point of influence for Moscow in the region.
Losing it is unthinkable—it would be a blow to all of Russia’s allies in the area, including Brazil, Cuba, Bolivia, and Nicaragua.
Russia and Venezuela maintain extensive economic relations.
Moscow exports chemical products, machinery, equipment, and wheat, while importing agricultural goods, cocoa, and cocoa derivatives for its food industry.
As two of the world’s largest oil exporters, Moscow and Caracas share a mutual interest in coordinating an energy policy that is both strategic and beneficial.
Trade volume, currently around $200 million, remains below Moscow’s expectations—but the trend is promising.
“Last year, bilateral trade rose by 64%—a positive sign,” noted Vladimir Putin during Maduro’s official visit to Moscow on May 7, 2025.
Russia versus Maduro’s overthrow
These are interests that Russia cannot—and will not—sell.
Moscow’s multifaceted assistance to Venezuela will now intensify, and its value has never been higher.
So what is happening now?
The madness of Kellogg—a figure within the U.S. establishment who for over a decade has supported the Kyiv regime and targeted the otherwise moderate Trump over his stance on Russia—is now pushing the U.S. toward another military adventure in Venezuela.
They claim to be fighting drugs with aircraft carriers—but in reality, their goal is to overthrow the legitimate government.
Maduro instead of Ukraine
The neoconservatives’ second line of manipulation is to push Moscow into a “Maduro for Ukraine” trade-off: “you leave Venezuela, and we’ll make a deal on Zelensky.”
But Russia has already answered these “offers.”
That is why the recent Il-76TD flight to Latin America will certainly not be the last.
www.bankingnews.gr
Moscow is signaling to Washington that it has no intention of surrendering its Latin American allies to American influence.
This is shaping up to be a dangerous geopolitical confrontation with far-reaching consequences for the global balance of power.
Given that Russia is at least five—if not ten—years ahead in hypersonic missile technology, it is making it clear that it will not abandon its valuable allies and is prepared to secure its geopolitical positions, even if that means overturning the West’s strategic plans.
As military analysts emphasize, Moscow has the necessary weapons to ensure this outcome.
Upending the balance with Russia’s superweapons
According to military analysts, the “Oreshnik” and “Burevestnik” missiles are set to overturn the current global balance.
It is no coincidence that China, referring to the “Burevestnik,” described it as a “shock to NATO,” while U.S. media rushed to proclaim the end of Trump’s “Golden Dome.”
Russian missile expert Yuri Knutov described the “Burevestnik” as “the Doomsday superweapon.”
“This missile has a guidance system, electronics, and everything needed to bypass and overcome air defenses.
The ‘Burevestnik’ has no rival in the world—and none will exist anytime soon.
Russia is five to ten years ahead of other nations in this field,” Knutov said.
Another missile expert, Alexey Anpilogov, added:
“The American air defense system is designed to intercept missiles coming from the North Pole.
For a long time, that was the most likely route for an attack on the U.S.
But the ‘Burevestnik’ changes that entirely.
Its mere existence could force the U.S. to build a regional defense system—something that would cost Washington vast sums. In other words, American defense spending will rise dramatically,” Anpilogov concluded.
Oreshnik… in Miami?
On Sunday, October 26, a Russian Il-76TD transport aircraft belonging to the airline “Avikon Citotrans” landed in Venezuela—with an unknown cargo.
Since January 2023, the company has been under U.S. sanctions, while Venezuela itself has been under increasing pressure from Washington in recent weeks.
The American establishment has openly threatened the Bolivarian Republic with a ground invasion and has “advised” President Maduro to flee to Russia or China.
Under these circumstances, Moscow has declared its determination to provide every possible form of assistance to its ally—and the arrival of the Il-76TD was the first signal of that intent.
A thorn in the Hawks’ throat
Venezuela has long been a sharp and painful thorn in Washington’s side.
The emergence of a “second Cuba” on the Latin American continent does not fit into the U.S.’s hegemonic plans.
In 1999, former military lieutenant Hugo Chávez became president of Venezuela.
Within a year, he amended the country’s constitution, renamed the nation in honor of the anti-colonial hero Simón Bolívar, and declared himself a socialist and anti-imperialist.
At that time, George W. Bush was president of the United States, and Venezuela went through two major crises with Washington: the attempted coup of 2002 and the expulsion of the U.S. ambassador in 2008 as an act of solidarity with Bolivia.
The Maduro era
When Nicolás Maduro assumed the presidency after Chávez’s death in 2013, he continued his predecessor’s anti-colonial path.
The following year, he expelled three U.S. diplomats, accusing them of inciting violence.
In 2019, Venezuela was rocked by its most severe political crisis yet, when opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president and received political support from the West.
The Maduro government was subsequently hit with a series of economic and diplomatic sanctions.
The rebel invasion
In May 2020, an armed invasion attempt by Venezuelan rebels took place in the coastal city of Macuto.
Among those captured were two American citizens—both former members of U.S. special forces.
Later that same year, U.S. oil company Halliburton was forced to withdraw from Venezuela.
Over the next three to four years, efforts were made to normalize relations, and some sanctions were eased—but Washington continued to view the Maduro regime as something that had to go.
A war on the drug cartels
Now, in 2025, Washington’s “hawks” are disguising their old objective behind a new banner: the “war on drugs.”
On August 7, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced an increase in the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture—from $25 million to $50 million.
Maduro was once again accused of “collaborating with drug cartels.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an interview with Fox News, called the Venezuelan president “a terrible dictator.”
“We will work toward that goal,” Rubio admitted openly when asked whether he wanted Maduro’s regime overthrown.
American forces off the Venezuelan coast
On August 21, the United States deployed a strike naval group near Venezuela’s shores—three destroyers, two amphibious ships, reconnaissance aircraft, and at least one submarine.
In September, U.S. forces began airstrikes on small boats in the Caribbean Sea, claiming they were carrying narcotics.
Around 40 people have already been killed, but the names of the supposed “Venezuelan narco-terrorists” have not been disclosed by Washington.
In recent days, discussions in the White House have turned to the possibility of a “ground military operation.”
By October 23, ten American vessels—including destroyers, amphibious ships, and supply tankers—were present in the area.
Why the obsession?
Venezuela is neither the only nor the most dangerous drug producer or supplier for the U.S.
The substance that truly terrifies Washington—fentanyl—is mainly produced in Mexico.
As for cocaine, a recent U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) report stated that 84% of all cocaine seized in the U.S. originates from Colombia.
While the report mentions several other countries, Venezuela is not listed at all under the “cocaine” section.
Moreover, the main drug trafficking routes do not pass through the Caribbean—where U.S. forces bombed small boats in September—but along the Pacific coast.
The “black gold”
The first and most accurate answer is “black gold.”
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves—303 billion barrels, accounting for 17.5% of global reserves.
Its main exports go to China, the country’s largest creditor.
Beyond oil and China, there is Russia—Venezuela’s key supplier of weapons and military equipment.
Russia’s military assistance
Since 2005, Russia has supplied Venezuela with modern air defense systems—Antey-2500, Buk-M2E, Igla portable missiles—along with Su-30MK2 fighter jets and military helicopters.
In July 2025, the first phase of a Kalashnikov ammunition factory in Venezuela was completed, with an annual production capacity of 70 million bullets.
The project is being carried out by Rosoboronexport.
In 2009, Moscow and Caracas signed a weapons and equipment contract worth $11.5 billion.
Through Iran
Russia also provides military-technical assistance to Venezuela through another major U.S. adversary—the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The cooperation among China, Russia, and Iran regarding Venezuela is a real headache for Washington.
Creating a focal point of tension in the region allows the White House to carry out hybrid attacks on Moscow and Beijing—and the BRICS more broadly—while maintaining control over the global energy market.
The “Monroe Doctrine 2.0,” aimed at securing U.S. economic and political dominance in the Western Hemisphere and expelling other global players, is now fully revealed.
The Russians don’t abandon their allies
In this context, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill on October 16, 2025, to the Federal Assembly to establish a strategic cooperation and partnership with Venezuela.
On October 21 and 22, both the State Duma and the Federation Council swiftly ratified the document.
Moscow is sending a message to the world: they will not betray their ally.
The precious cargo
At the same time, on October 22, an Avikon Citotrans aircraft departed from Russia.
Its cargo remains unknown.
However, the flight route—with stopovers in Armenia, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, and Mauritania—was anything but routine.
It is clear that the organizers carefully planned the route and security of the valuable shipment.
As for its contents, any speculation is merely that—and rightly so.
Theories
It can be assumed, however, that the Il-76TD (which can carry up to 45 tons) might theoretically be transporting various military-technical supplies—such as air defense equipment, communications systems, or electronic warfare gear—alongside strategically important humanitarian cargo.
Whatever the package contains, it serves as a serious warning to the neoconservatives: don’t play with fire, don’t provoke another military conflict as you did in Ukraine (though, in that case, it was mostly the Democrats “playing”).
Venezuela’s critical importance to Moscow
Beyond supporting Maduro’s legitimate government, Russia has every right—and obligation—to protect its global interests in Venezuela.
Venezuela is the heart of Latin America, a strategic point of influence for Moscow in the region.
Losing it is unthinkable—it would be a blow to all of Russia’s allies in the area, including Brazil, Cuba, Bolivia, and Nicaragua.
Russia and Venezuela maintain extensive economic relations.
Moscow exports chemical products, machinery, equipment, and wheat, while importing agricultural goods, cocoa, and cocoa derivatives for its food industry.
As two of the world’s largest oil exporters, Moscow and Caracas share a mutual interest in coordinating an energy policy that is both strategic and beneficial.
Trade volume, currently around $200 million, remains below Moscow’s expectations—but the trend is promising.
“Last year, bilateral trade rose by 64%—a positive sign,” noted Vladimir Putin during Maduro’s official visit to Moscow on May 7, 2025.
Russia versus Maduro’s overthrow
These are interests that Russia cannot—and will not—sell.
Moscow’s multifaceted assistance to Venezuela will now intensify, and its value has never been higher.
So what is happening now?
The madness of Kellogg—a figure within the U.S. establishment who for over a decade has supported the Kyiv regime and targeted the otherwise moderate Trump over his stance on Russia—is now pushing the U.S. toward another military adventure in Venezuela.
They claim to be fighting drugs with aircraft carriers—but in reality, their goal is to overthrow the legitimate government.
Maduro instead of Ukraine
The neoconservatives’ second line of manipulation is to push Moscow into a “Maduro for Ukraine” trade-off: “you leave Venezuela, and we’ll make a deal on Zelensky.”
But Russia has already answered these “offers.”
That is why the recent Il-76TD flight to Latin America will certainly not be the last.
www.bankingnews.gr
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