An Ilyushin Il-76 freighter crashed in the Malha area of North Darfur, Sudan on 21 October 2024. The accident has resulted in the deaths of all five people on board, reportedly including three Sudanese and two Russians.
The circumstances surrounding the crash and the specific aircraft involved remain unclear, with conflicting claims being made by various parties.
Multiple Claims Made
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the ongoing Sudanese civil war, claimed responsibility for shooting down the heavy transport. The RSF has claimed that the down aircraft was a “foreign military aircraft” which was fighting alongside opposing Sudanese army forces.
However, this claim has been disputed by other sources, pointing to the possibility of a technical malfunction or other factors.
Military sources have claimed that the aircraft had been delivering military equipment and medical supplies to the army headquarters in Al Fasher. The presence of two Russian nationals on board has drawn significant international attention, particularly given Russia’s involvement in other conflicts in the region.
Russian news sources have said that the Russian embassy in Sudan has begun inquiries. This follows the reports suggesting that two Russian nationals were onboard the crashed freighter.
The conflict zone surrounding the crash site hinders efforts to clarify the situation and circumstances.
Some accounts suggest that the aircraft was linked to a UAE-based company. This has raised early questions about potential arms shipments to the RSF. Claims have been made that the aircraft belongs to the Kyrgyzistan airline New Way Cargo Airlines.
The airline faced previous accusations of transporting military cargo from the United Arab Emirates to Chad.
RSF and other social media channels have circulated images of debris allegedly found at the crash site. The reports have claimed debris is from an aircraft belonging to the cargo carrier. Circulated footage of items retrieved at the crash site also include a Russian identification document.
Summary
Russia has launched an investigation into the incident, and the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under scrutiny.
The specifics of the downed aircraft are yet to be conclusively confirmed.
Nevertheless, the crash has further complicated the already volatile situation in Sudan. Intense fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces has been ongoing for months.
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