The Russian embassy in Sudan says it is investigating reports that a cargo plane carrying Russian personnel was shot down in Darfur, a key area of the civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The plane, identified as a Russian-made lyushin Il-76, was on a mission to deliver equipment and medicine to the military-held town of el-Fasher, military sources told Sudanese media.
On Monday, the RSF said it had shot down a Russian-made plane flown by the Egyptian military that it suspected of bombing civilians – although it was identified as Antonov.
Egypt denies allegations that it supported Sudan’s military during the 18-month conflict.
A brutal power struggle between the army and the RSF began in April 2023, leading to what the UN has called one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Some estimates suggest that as many as 150,000 people have been killed since the war began last year, according to comments made in May by the US special envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello.
The UN estimates that it has also forced more than 10 million people – about a fifth of the population – from their homes.
Details about the crash and its purpose are sketchy.
The Russian embassy in the capital, Khartoum, said it was working with the Sudanese military-led government to gather more information about the accident and those on board.
According to the Sudan Tribune news website, all crew members – including three Sudanese and two Russians – died in the crash.
Citing military sources, it said it landed in the Malha area, near the border with Chad, heading for the besieged town of el-Fasher. This has not been independently verified.
El-Fasher is the only town still under military control in the western Darfur region – and has been under attack by the RSF since April.
The RSF says it has the plane’s black box and seized documents related to the plane and its mission.
Photos from the suspected crash site show RSF soldiers and what appears to be graffiti near the plane crash.
According to BBC Verify, the documents – including a Russian passport, an identification card from Manas airport in Kyrgyzstan and two South African driving licenses (with different expiry dates) – all belong to the same person.
Preliminary investigations indicate that he may have graduated from a Russian military school and may be a South African citizen.
One video posted by RSF also shows a fighter holding a Russian 50-rouble ($0.50; £0.40) note – however the way it was filmed makes it difficult to say for sure that the video was shot near the crash site.
Some reports suggest there may have been a technical error – but the military and the RSF say it was shot down.
Others suggest that it may have been misdirected.
This is because some documents seen in the video stream suggest that the plane was connected to an airline that was connected to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Middle Eastern country denies allegations that it has been arming the RSF – although the UN says there is substantial evidence.
New diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to hostilities between rival militias in Sudan have failed to make headway.
Fierce fighting recently intensified in Khartoum, which is largely controlled by the RSF, as the military intensified airstrikes in the city center and the southern belt.
Additional reporting from BBC Verify by Peter Mwai.
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