Cargo Plane Downed in Sudan Allegedly Carried Russian Crew Supplying Weapons, Says Reuters

A plane shot down in Sudan's North Darfur on October 21 state had Russian crew members and was being used by the army to resupply the besieged city of al-Fashir, according to the opposing faction, which also claims to have uncovered documents in the wreckage.

This was reported by Reuters.

Flight tracking data and information from social media accounts that have not been previously reported suggest the transport plane switched months ago from supplying the RSF to the army. A Reuters analysis of the documents, footage and social media indicate at least one of the Russian crew had a past in arms trafficking.

Previously unreported flight tracking data and social media activity suggest the transport plane shifted allegiance months ago, switching from supplying the RSF to supporting the army.

A Reuters analysis of documents, footage, and social media reveals that at least one of the Russian crew members has a history in arms trafficking.

The aircraft, identified as an Il-74 transport plane, was used to deliver weapons, ammunition, and provisions to the city of al-Fashir in Sudan, where the Sudanese army is attempting to fend off RSF attacks, an RSF source told Reuters.

Reuters identified at least two Russians believed to have been aboard the plane by cross-referencing footage of their IDs, shared by the RSF, with their social media profiles. The identities of the suspected crew members were confirmed using public databases of leaked personal data, facial recognition technology, and access to an official Russian database.

The crew may have included 67-year-old Russian Viktor Granov, who is alleged to have connections to notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, recently released in a 2022 prisoner swap between Russia and the US.