- Russian cargo plane crashes in Sudan's Darfur
- RSF claims responsibility
- 5 crew members killed
Russia’s embassy in Sudan has launched an investigation into reports that a Russian-made cargo plane was shot down in Darfur, a key battleground in the civil war between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-76, was on a mission to deliver equipment and medicine to the army-held city of el-Fasher, according to military sources. The RSF claimed responsibility for downing the plane, alleging it was flown by the Egyptian military and had bombed civilians.
Egypt denies providing military support to Sudan’s army during the 18-month conflict. The struggle for power between the army and RSF began in April 2023, leading to what the UN has called one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Estimates suggest up to 150,000 people have been killed since the war began, with over 10 million displaced. The Russian embassy in Khartoum is coordinating with the Sudanese military-led government to gather more information about the crash and its crew.
Military sources indicate that all crew members, including three Sudan nationals and two Russians, were killed in the crash. The Sudan Tribune news website reports that the plane came down in the Malha area, near the Chad border, en route to el-Fasher.
El-Fasher remains the only city under army control in western Darfur, under attack from the RSF since April. The RSF claims to have recovered the plane’s black box and seized documents related to the plane and its mission.
Viral footage from the alleged crash site shows RSF soldiers with identification documents next to the plane wreckage. Preliminary research suggests the documents belong to an individual who may have graduated from a Russian military academy and resided in South Africa.
Some reports suggest a technical fault may have caused the crash, while others indicate it may have been mistakenly targeted due to the aircraft’s affiliation with an airline previously linked to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE denies allegations of arming the RSF.
Fresh diplomatic attempts to negotiate a cessation of hostilities between the rival forces have failed to make progress. Fierce fighting has escalated around Khartoum, with the military intensifying airstrikes in the city’s center and southern belt.
In Wad Madani, an RSF-held city south of Khartoum, local activists report over 50 people killed in multiple attacks since Sunday. The city’s “resistance committee” accuses the army of using barrel bombs, banned in populated civilian areas under international conventions.
