Ukraine 'likely' behind strikes in Sudan, Ukrainian military source says
Ukrainian special services are believed to be behind a series of drone strikes and a ground operation in Sudan, targeting a Wagner-backed militia.
A Ukrainian military source, speaking to CNN, described the operation as the work of a "non-Sudanese military" and suggested that Ukrainian special services were likely responsible.
The attacks targeted the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is receiving assistance from Wagner in its fight against the Sudanese army.
Video footage obtained by CNN showed the hallmarks of Ukrainian-style drone attacks, with Ukrainian text seen on the drone controller.
Experts noted that the tactics used in the strikes were highly unusual for Sudan and the wider African region.
If confirmed, covert strikes by Ukraine in Sudan would mark a significant escalation of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
While Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, the drone footage captured the strikes in action.
The videos, which have been circulating on social media, show a succession of drone strikes in and around Omdurman, a city across the Nile River from the capital Khartoum.
The attacks targeted pickup trucks, parked vehicles, buildings, and armed men.
The RSF, which has a large presence in Khartoum and Omdurman, has been under frequent aerial attack by the Sudanese military since fighting broke out between the two groups.
CNN has geolocated the sites of the attacks and the ground operation seen in the drone videos.
The strikes on Shambat bridge and other locations appeared to match local reports of attacks on September 8.
The videos also showed foreign fighters conducting a raid on a building, wearing night goggles and carrying weapons.
The use of weaponized commercial drones that explode on impact is new in Africa.
The drones used in the attacks were identified as DJI MAVIC 3 drones, which are commercially available and widely used by Ukrainian forces.
The Ukrainian text visible on the drone controller further supports the suspicion of Ukrainian involvement.
The strikes in Sudan came just two days after Wagner facilitated a large arms convoy to Sudan via an RSF garrison in al-Zurug, near the border with Chad.
This suggests an expansion of Russia and Wagner's sphere of influence in Africa.
Wagner has been supplying the RSF with surface-to-air missiles, bolstering their paramilitary fighters.
The Russian mercenary group has played a pivotal role in Moscow's foreign military campaigns and has been accused of committing atrocities.
It has also helped Russia seize resources and increase its influence in Africa.
The alleged Ukrainian operation in Sudan has raised eyebrows among US officials, who expressed surprise and appeared unaware of the incident.
A high-level Sudanese military source denied knowledge of a Ukrainian operation in Sudan and did not believe it to be true.
The Ukrainian government has not officially c
