Russians feared dead after plane shot down in Sudan
On Monday, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) released videos purportedly from the crash site of a cargo plane in Darfur, claiming to have found documents indicating that Russian nationals were on board. The Russian Embassy in Sudan confirmed it is investigating the incident involving a Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft that was reportedly delivering equipment and medical supplies to el-Fasher, a city controlled by the Sudanese army.
Military sources shared with Sudanese media that this aircraft was indeed on a mission to assist the army. At the same time, the RSF announced they had downed an Egyptian military plane, although it was identified as an Antonov. Egypt, however, has denied allegations of providing military support to Sudan’s army during the ongoing conflict.
The civil war, which has escalated since April 2023, has led to a humanitarian crisis described by the UN as one of the worst in the world. Estimates suggest that up to 150,000 people have died since the violence began, and nearly 10 million have been forced from their homes.
Details surrounding the crash remain unclear. The Russian Embassy in Khartoum is coordinating with the Sudanese military-led government to gather information about the crash and the crew. Reports indicate that all crew members, which included three Sudanese and two Russians, were killed when the aircraft went down in the Malha area, close to the Chad border, as it made its way to the besieged city of el-Fasher.
El-Fasher is the last city in the western Darfur region still under army control and has faced RSF attacks since the conflict began. The RSF claims to have recovered the plane’s black box and related documents. Footage from the crash site shows RSF soldiers alongside what appears to be identification papers. Preliminary findings suggest they belong to an individual potentially linked to the Russian military.
In a video shared by the RSF, a fighter displays a 50-rouble Russian currency note, although it is difficult to definitively ascertain that the footage was taken near the crash site. Some reports suggest that a technical malfunction may have led to the crash, yet both the army and RSF claim it was shot down.
Additionally, there are indications that the aircraft could have been mistakenly targeted, as documents circulating in video footage point toward a connection with an airline previously associated with the United Arab Emirates, which separately denies any involvement in supplying arms to the RSF.
Diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities in Sudan have not made headway. Recent fighting has intensified around Khartoum, largely under RSF control, with the military ramping up airstrikes in the city’s core and southern areas. In Wad Madani, an RSF-held city, reports indicate over 50 casualties from multiple attacks since Sunday, with local activists citing a military airstrike on a mosque as a particularly deadly incident.
The situation continues to evolve, with a combination of tragedy and conflict affecting millions caught in this relentless struggle for power.
