«الدعم السريع»: إسقاط طائرة يقودها طاقم روسي يشتبه في نقلها إمدادات للجيش السوداني

"Rapid Support Forces" Claims to Shoot Down Plane Carrying Russian Crew

The Sudanese paramilitary force, known as the "Rapid Support Forces" (RSF),has asserted that it shot down an aircraft in North Darfur state. The plane, allegedly carrying a Russian crew, was purportedly used by the Sudanese army to supply the besieged city of El Fasher with provisions. The RSF claims to have found documents within the wreckage confirming this.

Evidence of Mysterious Supply Networks

This incident sheds light on the shadowy supply networks behind the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which has been raging for over 18 months. The conflict has displaced over 11 million people, exacerbated hunger, and attracted foreign powers.

According to flight tracking data and previously unpublished information from social media accounts, the transport plane shifted from supplying the RSF to supplying the army several months ago.

Analysis of Documents and Social Media

Reuters analysis of documents, footage, and social media information indicates that at least one member of the Russian crew has a history of arms smuggling. The RSF published footage showing its forces surrounding the charred remains of the aircraft, which they claim to have downed in the early hours of Monday in the Malha region north of El Fasher.

Rare Revelation of Foreign Involvement

In a rare disclosure of foreign involvement near the front lines, the RSF also released images allegedly depicting the identification documents of the Russian crew members on board the aircraft, alongside three Sudanese army personnel.

An RSF source later reported that the aircraft was an Ilyushin transport plane employed in airdropping weapons, ammunition, and supplies to El Fasher. The army and former rebel groups allied with it have been fending off RSF attacks for months. The source stated that the aircraft had just delivered a shipment before being targeted.

Confirmation of Aircraft Type

The aircraft's remaining engine and tail stabilizer components correspond to those found on a Russian-made Ilyushin IL-76 cargo plane, according to an analysis of videos conducted by the Crisis Response Information Center (CIR),a London-based non-profit group. CIR located the crash site approximately 128 kilometers north of El Fasher. Reuters verified the location of the videos through matching mountain shapes, terrain, and vegetation.

Russian Crew Identified

Reuters independently identified at least two of the Russians believed to have been on board the aircraft by matching footage shared by the RSF with their identity cards and social media accounts.

The Russian embassy in Sudan announced that they are investigating the incident. The Russian Foreign Ministry has yet to respond to a request for comment.

Crew Member with Arms Smuggling Allegations

The footage provided by the RSF reveals that one of the suspected crew members is Viktor Granov (67 years old). His work ID, South African driver's license, and expired passport were found in the plane's wreckage. Information from a LinkedIn account and Russian court records shows that he resides in South Africa. A 2005 Amnesty International report linked Granov, a South African businessman, to Viktor Bout, the notorious arms dealer released in a prisoner swap between Russia and the United States in 2022. The report mentioned Granov's management of two airlines accused of violating an arms embargo in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Second Suspect Identified

The footage released by the RSF suggests that the second suspect is Anton Selivanets (33 years old). His Russian passport was found at the site. Images of Selivanets on Instagram and OK.ru social media platforms depict him standing next to IL-76 aircraft bearing the World Food Programme (WFP) logo at airports in Ethiopia.

The WFP clarified that Selivanets is not a member of their organization or a contractor. The RSF provided Reuters with a video clip, claimed to be from a mobile phone found in the plane. Reuters identified one of the men in the footage as the Russian Alexander Kabanov (61 years old).

Kabanov's social media accounts on VK and TikTok indicate that he served in airborne special forces and spent several years in Africa, particularly Uganda, Sudan, and South Sudan. Reuters was unable to confirm the identity of the phone's owner.

Concluding Remarks

The incident highlights the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the conflict in Sudan. It sheds light on the involvement of foreign actors and the intricate supply networks fueling the conflict. The ongoing investigation promises to reveal further details about the incident, including the true nature of the aircraft's mission and the identities of the crew members involved.