Cargo plane crash in Sudan’s North Darfur kills five, including two Russians

October 21, 2024 (MALHA) – A cargo plane, likely belonging to the Sudanese army, crashed in the Malha area of North Darfur state early Monday, killing its crew of three Sudanese and two Russians. The cause of the crash remains unclear.

Military sources told Sudan Tribune that the aircraft, a Russian Ilyushin cargo plane, was on a mission to deliver military equipment and medicine to the army headquarters in El Fasher and crashed upon its return.

The RSF claims to have shot down the plane, while other sources indicate a possible technical malfunction.

According to Reuters, the Russian embassy in Sudan stated it is investigating reports that a cargo plane with Russian crew members may have been shot down and is coordinating with Sudanese authorities.

The RSF released video clips showing the plane’s wreckage and the passports of the Russian crew. A statement by the RSF spokesman claimed their forces shot down a “foreign warplane” fighting alongside the army and “remnants of the terrorist Islamic Movement.” They allege the plane had conducted several bombing raids in the area.

The city of Malha is located approximately 210 kilometres north of El Fasher.

RSF commander Ali Rizqallah, known as “Al-Savana,” claimed in a video clip that their forces shot down an Egyptian plane bombing civilians in Darfur. RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo has previously accused Egypt of supporting the Sudanese army with warplanes.

The RSF also claimed to have recovered the plane’s black box and seized documents related to the plane and its mission.