Russia Investigates Report of Plane Shot Down in Sudan’s Darfur Region

KHARTOUM, Sudan — Russia’s embassy in Sudan announced on Tuesday that it is investigating reports of a cargo plane, allegedly with a Russian crew, being shot down in Darfur. The region has been a focal point in the ongoing civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The downed aircraft, identified as a Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76, was reportedly delivering equipment and medicine to the army-controlled city of El Fasher, according to military sources cited by Sudanese media. The RSF, however, claims to have shot down a Russian-made Antonov aircraft, which they accused of being flown by the Egyptian military and bombing civilians.

Egypt has denied any involvement in providing military support to the Sudanese army during the 18-month-long conflict. The war between the Sudanese army and the RSF began in April 2023, and has since resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, according to the United Nations.

The UN estimates that over 10 million people have been displaced due to the fighting, with some reports suggesting that up to 150,000 people have been killed since the conflict began. The vicious struggle for power has particularly affected regions like Darfur, where fighting between the army and RSF has intensified.

Russia’s embassy in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, is working closely with Sudan’s military-led government to gather more details about the incident. Reports indicate that all crew members on the aircraft, which included three Sudanese nationals and two Russians, were killed when the plane crashed near the Malha area, close to the border with Chad. However, these reports have not yet been independently verified.

El Fasher, the city to which the plane was headed, is the last remaining area in Darfur under the army’s control and has been under siege by the RSF since the start of the conflict in April. The RSF has claimed to have recovered the plane’s black box and documents related to its mission, further complicating the situation.

Footage circulating online appears to show RSF soldiers at the crash site, displaying what seem to be Russian passports and identification cards. While some reports suggest the plane may have been downed by a technical fault, both the army and the RSF claim it was shot down.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, documents seen in video footage suggest the aircraft may have been linked to an airline associated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE has denied allegations that it has provided military support to the RSF, despite the United Nations citing credible evidence of external support.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between Sudan’s warring factions have stalled, and fighting has intensified around Khartoum, which remains largely under RSF control. The military has responded with increased airstrikes, particularly in the city’s center and southern districts.