More worries for Putin as Russian military aircraft crashes in Sudan, all crew reported dead

 A Russian-operated Ilyushin Il-76 military transport aircraft supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) crashed west of Port Sudan during its landing approach at Osman Digna Airbase on December 9, killing all crew members aboard.

The aircraft, linked to SAF units reportedly aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, was on a food-aid delivery mission when the incident occurred.

Huge Loss for Russia

According to reports by the Russian military, the crash happened due to a technical malfunction, though the exact nature of the failure remains undisclosed.

In addition, no evidence of enemy involvement has been reported, and officials have ruled out hostile fire as a contributing factor.

The SAF has yet to release the identities or nationalities of the crew members, but sources confirmed that all personnel on board perished.

Eyewitnesses near Osman Digna Airbase reported seeing the aircraft descending unusually low before impact, followed by a large fireball and thick smoke rising from the crash site.

Emergency response teams were deployed immediately, but the wreckage was engulfed in flames, complicating recovery efforts.

Sudan in Distress

The Ilyushin Il-76, a four-engine heavy transport aircraft designed in the Soviet era, is widely used for military and humanitarian operations across conflict zones.

Russia pledged logistical support to Sudan during the current period, when the nation is experiencing heightened instability, leading to the deployment of the Ilyushin Il-76.

Sudan has had millions displaced and has also left a large population of its people dependent on external assistance.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been caught up in conflict, when tensions between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into full-scale war.

The fighting has devastated infrastructure, crippled supply chains, and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis.

The Sudanese Armed Forces have launched an investigation into the crash, pledging transparency while urging the public to avoid speculation.

The officials have dismissed rumors of sabotage, stressing that no hostile engagement occurred in the vicinity of Osman Digna Airbase at the time.

Russia Faces Criticism, Again

The crash of a Russian Il-76 transport plane in Sudan has renewed global criticism of Russia’s role in the country’s civil war.

Western governments and rights groups accuse Russia of fuelling the conflict by supplying military assets instead of promoting peace in Sudan.

They argue that such involvement prolongs fighting and worsens the humanitarian crisis.

They also argue that using military planes for aid blurs the line between relief and warfare, which raises questions about Russia’s true motives.

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Russia has long denied that its actions go beyond logistics, after several claims that its long-standing interest is in Sudan’s Red Sea ports and mineral wealth.

Why Russia Is in Sudan

Three core strategic interests drive Russia’s involvement in Sudan.

First, Moscow seeks a naval logistics base at Port Sudan on the Red Sea, granting it access to a critical global shipping corridor and expanding its maritime reach into the Indian Ocean.

Negotiations for the base began under former president Omar al-Bashir, and a 2020 agreement outlined Russian docking rights and a long-term lease.

Secondly, Russia has invested heavily in Sudan’s gold sector and, through companies linked to the Wagner Group, secured mining concessions and developed export routes that generate revenue, which is advantageous to Moscow under Western sanctions.

Third, Sudan provides Russia with geopolitical leverage in Africa, as engagement with Sudan’s military and political elite enables Moscow to strengthen influence across the broader Red Sea and Northeast Africa region, offset Western involvement, and secure economic and military partnerships that extend its strategic footprint across the region.