The Russian embassy in Sudan is investigating reports that a cargo plane with a Russian crew was shot down in Darfur, a key battleground in Sudan’s ongoing civil war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The aircraft, identified as a Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76, was reportedly on a mission to deliver essential equipment and medicine to the army-controlled city of El-Fasher, according to military sources cited by Sudanese media. The RSF claimed responsibility for downing the plane, initially identifying it as an Antonov, which it accused of bombing civilians. However, Egypt, accused of supporting Sudan’s military, denied any involvement, stating the aircraft in question was not part of its military operations.
The violent struggle between Sudan’s army and the RSF has raged since April 2023, leading to one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, according to the UN. Estimates suggest up to 150,000 people have been killed, and over 10 million displaced since the conflict began.
The Russian embassy in Khartoum confirmed it is working with Sudan’s military-led government to gather more information about the crash. The Sudan Tribune reported that all crew members, including two Russians and three Sudanese nationals, were killed in the crash near the border with Chad, en route to El-Fasher. The RSF, which has held El-Fasher under siege since April, claimed to have recovered the plane’s black box and other documents related to its mission.
Footage circulating on social media shows RSF fighters displaying what appears to be Russian passports and identification cards next to the wreckage. While the cause of the crash remains disputed, with both the army and RSF claiming it was shot down, some reports suggest a possible technical fault or a case of mistaken targeting. Documents in the viral footage reportedly link the plane to an airline associated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country that has denied accusations of arming the RSF, despite credible UN evidence suggesting otherwise.
Meanwhile, renewed diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between the warring factions have made little headway, with fierce fighting escalating in the capital, Khartoum, primarily controlled by the RSF. The military has increased airstrikes in the city’s center and southern regions as the conflict shows no signs of abating.
