Tragedy in Sudan: Russian Cargo Plane Reportedly Shot Down

Reports are emerging that a Russian cargo plane has been shot down in Sudan, prompting an investigation by Russia’s embassy in Khartoum. This incident unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Darfur region, a pivotal battleground in the civil war that has gripped the nation.

The aircraft, identified as a Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76, was reportedly en route to the army-held city of El-Fasher, delivering essential supplies and medical equipment. According to military sources cited by Sudanese media, the plane was intended to support the Sudanese military during this prolonged conflict.

On Monday, the RSF claimed to have downed a military aircraft, which they alleged was an Egyptian plane responsible for bombing civilian areas. However, the downed plane was identified as an Antonov, and Egypt has denied any involvement in military operations supporting Sudan’s army.

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has led to what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. U.S. special envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, estimates that the fighting has resulted in the deaths of up to 150,000 people since it began last year. The UN further estimates that the violence has displaced over 10 million individuals, representing roughly a fifth of Sudan’s population.

Details surrounding the crash remain unclear. The Russian embassy has stated that it is working with Sudan’s military-led government to gather more information about the incident and the fate of those aboard. Reports from the Sudan Tribune indicate that all crew members—comprising three Sudanese nationals and two Russians—were killed in the crash, which is said to have occurred in the Malha area, close to the Chad border.

El-Fasher is currently the only city in the western Darfur region still under government control, yet it has faced relentless attacks from the RSF since April. The RSF claims to have recovered the aircraft’s black box along with various documents related to its mission. Viral footage from the crash site shows RSF soldiers in possession of what appear to be identification documents next to the wreckage.

According to BBC Verify, these documents—ranging from a Russian passport to a job ID from Manas Airport in Kyrgyzstan—are linked to a single individual, suggesting a background in the Russian military and possible residence in South Africa. One video released by the RSF featured a soldier displaying a 50-rouble note, but the context of the footage remains ambiguous, making it difficult to confirm its authenticity at the crash site.

There are conflicting reports regarding the cause of the crash. While both the army and RSF assert that the plane was shot down, some indications suggest a technical malfunction might have been responsible. Other reports hint that the aircraft could have been mistakenly targeted, as documents have surfaced indicating that it was associated with an airline previously linked to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE has denied allegations of providing arms to the RSF, although the UN states there is credible evidence of such support.

Diplomatic efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between the rival factions in Sudan have yet to yield significant progress. Recent fighting has intensified around Khartoum, which is primarily under RSF control, with the Sudanese military ramping up airstrikes in the city’s central and southern areas.

In the RSF-controlled city of Wad Madani, local activists reported that over 50 individuals have been killed in multiple assaults since Sunday. The city’s resistance committee, comprised of volunteers working to deliver aid, claimed that a military airstrike on a mosque after evening prayers resulted in more than 30 fatalities. The committee has accused the army of deploying barrel bombs, which are prohibited in populated civilian areas under international law. Many victims remain unidentifiable due to severe burns and mutilation.

These recent attacks follow the defection of the RSF’s top commander in Gezira state to the army, adding another layer of complexity to an already chaotic conflict. As violence escalates, the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, leaving countless lives hanging in the balance.