he either arrived late night/Early Morning on RA-96021 (RSD111) so it is not usual time. there are 5 or may be more IL-96/Tu-214 and additional Cargo planes for carrying vehicles. so this can be consider largest logistic exercise of Special flight squadron going outside Russia. and i think for safety not want to put people on same plane.
There is another plane that went to Harbin. Top speed 650mph/Avg speed of flight 580 mph.