Mathias Rust is a German aviator who gained international attention in 1987 when he flew a small plane from Helsinki, Finland to Moscow, Russia. At just 19 years old, he landed on Red Square, evading Soviet air defenses. His flight was seen as a significant political act during the Cold War. Rust's actions were controversial and led to a reevaluation of Soviet military protocols. He was arrested and sentenced to four years in prison, but was released after serving about 15 months. His flight is often discussed in the context of Soviet Union history and the eventual easing of tensions between East and West.