Click to see full-size image. Source: CNN.
Ukrainian special services were likely behind a series of drone strikes and a ground operation directed against a paramilitary force in Sudan, the CNN reported on September 19.
Speaking to the Atlanta-based news channel, a Ukrainian military source described the attacks as the work of a “non-Sudanese military.” The unnamed source would only say that “Ukrainian special services were likely responsible,” when asked if Kiev was behind the attacks.
The operation involved a series of attacks on the Rapid Support Force (RSF), which is allegedly backed by Russia’s Wagner Group, in its fight against the Sudanese army for control of the country.
The army’s Commander-in-Chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the commander of the RSF General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ruled Sudan as the president and vice-president of the so-called Sovereign Council after a coup in October 2021.
In mid-April, a heated conflict broke out between the two forces as a result of a disagreement over how the RSF should be integrated into the army and what authority should oversee the process during transition to civilian-led rule in the Arab country.
The United States Department of Treasury alleged in May that Wagner was providing the RSF with military support, including anti-aircraft missiles.
The alleged Ukrainian strikes were carried out with FPV suicide drones. Six of the strikes targeted pickup trucks driving on Shambat bridge. Eight others hit parked vehicles, buildings and armed men in Omdurman and the western suburb of Ombada Footage of the strikes have been circulating on social media since September 14.
CNN also shared previously unseen footage of at least three alleged Ukrainian special operators to conduct a raid on a building. The ground operation reportedly took place in Omdurman.
A high-level Sudanese military source told CNN that he had “no knowledge of a Ukrainian operation in Sudan” and did not believe it was true.
The operations came just two days after Wagner facilitated a large arms convoy to Sudan via an RSF garrison in al-Zurug, in the country’s southwest near the border with Chad, another high-level Sudanese source told the news channel.
According to the official, a large number of vehicles, including several trucks carrying weapons from Wagner arrived at Zurug on September 6.
Wagner operates in several African countries. Nevertheless, the Russian group’s presence in Sudan remains a matter of debate. The main backer of the RSF is said to be the United Arab Emirates, a close ally of the U.S.
The reports of Ukrainian attacks in Sudan are not surprising. Ukrainian special services have been reportedly contemplating the idea of attacking Russian interests in the Arab World for a while. Earlier this year, leaked U.S. intelligence documents revealed a plot by Kiev to launch attacks against Russian forces and bases in Syria.
The information revealed by CNN could lead to backlash against Ukraine in the Arab world. Kiev has been making efforts to secure support from Arab states since the start of the Russian special military operation last year, with very little success. Now, popular opinion on the conflict in the Arab World will shift even more in favor of Moscow.
hehe ukrainians just love being america’s loyal orcs no matter where in the world they are.
the usa now has a group of ukrainian contract killers to do their dirty work with what they think is deniability.
when will moscow finally put an end to the bustle of zelenska’s stupid ukrainian acting troupe???
the usa or an other western country is behind this. now they can use the same equipment that they supplied ukraine and then are able to blame ukraine, i think we will see this in more countries