Russian airline Red Wings on Wednesday made its maiden flight to Iraq as commercial services between Moscow and Baghdad resume following the 2003 Iraqi War. The Airbus 320 took off at 1.30am Moscow time from the Russian capital's Domodedovo airport.
Russian media reported this week that the airline had been given approval from the Iraqi Transport Ministry to begin one regular flight a week from Moscow to Baghdad.
Regular commercial flights between the two countries were cut in 2004 when a US-led coalition overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime. Russian and Iraqi authorities have been in negotiations to restart flights since 2015.
In September last year, Iraqi Airways completed its first flight to Moscow in 13 years. Moscow and Baghdad recently strengthened military ties with Iraq purchasing Russian T-90 battle tanks this month.