Russia investigates after its plane is shot down in Sudan

The Russian embassy in Sudan has announced an investigation into the downing of a cargo plane carrying Russian crew members in Darfur, where intense fighting is ongoing between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the BBC reports.

Identified by Sudanese military sources as a Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76, the plane was reportedly on a mission to air-drop equipment and medical supplies to the army-controlled city of El-Fasher, according to Sudanese media.

RSF officials shared footage of its troops standing around the burning wreckage of the plane, which they said they had shot down on Monday.

This incident underscores Russia's evolving involvement in Sudan’s 18-month-long conflict, which has claimed more than 20,000 lives and displaced over 11 million people.

According to Reuters, flight tracking data and social media reports suggest that the plane initially supplied weapons to the RSF before switching allegiance to the Sudanese army.

Historically, the Russian-backed Wagner Group has provided arms and fighters to the RSF in exchange for gold. However, in April, Russian diplomat Mikhail Bogdanov visited Sudan and expressed Moscow's support for the Sudanese army, shifting Russia's backing in the conflict.

Russia’s involvement is believed to be partly driven by its interest in securing a naval base on Sudan’s Red Sea coast.