Breaking: Ukrainian Forces Implicated in Covert Strikes on Wagner-backed Personnel in Sudan, Military Insider Reveals

CNN's investigation has determined that Ukrainian special services were likely responsible for a series of drone strikes and a ground operation launched against a Wagner-backed militia near Sudan's capital. This raises concerns that the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine have expanded beyond the immediate conflict zones. A Ukrainian military source, speaking to CNN, refrained from explicitly confirming Kyiv's involvement but acknowledged that it was likely orchestrated by Ukrainian special services.

Ukrainian-style drone attacks were carried out as part of the operation targeting the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is suspected to be receiving support from Wagner, the Russian mercenary group. While CNN could not independently verify Ukraine's involvement in the strikes, video footage obtained by CNN displayed characteristic features of Ukrainian-style drone attacks.

At least eight strikes in Sudan were carried out using two popularly used commercially available drones in Ukraine. The drone controller displayed Ukrainian text, indicating its origin. According to experts, the tactics employed, wherein the drones directly targeted the objective, were uncommon in Sudan and the broader African region.

If covert strikes by Ukraine were indeed conducted in Sudan, it would signify a significant and provocative escalation of Kyiv's conflict with Moscow. Although Ukraine has primarily concentrated its counter-offensive in the eastern and southern regions of the country, it has also undertaken a series of drone attacks within Russian territory.

closeup view of il76 at al jufra airbase_16april2023

Maxar Technologies

Exclusive: Evidence emerges of Russia's Wagner arming militia leader battling Sudan's army

Ukraine has not yet taken official responsibility for the attacks depicted in the drone footage, which has been circulating on social media since Thursday. There has been no prior publication of footage showing the ground operation.

A reliable and authoritative Sudanese military source, in a higher position, stated that he is unaware of any Ukrainian involvement in Sudan and does not find it to be true.

Several US officials seemed to be unknowledgeable about the reported incident and were surprised by the notion that the strikes and ground operation could have been carried out by Ukrainian forces.

The videos, featuring footage from the perspective of the pilot, a drone's aerial view, and the controller, depict a series of drone strikes happening in and around Omdurman. This city, located on the opposite bank of the Nile River from the capital Khartoum, has become a significant battleground between the two rival factions.

FPV drones allow pilots to experience the operation from the drone's perspective, either through goggles or a monitor for live transmission. The videos show a drone resembling a DJI MAVIC 3 capturing the drone strikes. These drone models are readily available and commonly utilized by Ukrainian forces.

The DJI MAVIC 3 drone boasts impressive specifications, including a maximum flight distance of 30 kilometers (18 miles), a video transmission range of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), and a flight time of up to 46 minutes. This suggests that the pilot was likely controlling the drone either indoors or in close proximity to the city.

In the video, both English and Ukrainian text can be seen on the monitor of the drone controller. The text includes the word "Зупинити," which translates to "Stop." The drone operator, who appears to be of foreign origin, is also visible in the reflection of the controller. However, the operator is wearing a balaclava and cannot be identified. CNN had the footage analyzed by a British researcher who manages Calibre Obscura, a website specializing in identifying weapons. According to the researcher, the device seen in the video matches those typically used by Ukrainian forces to control DJI MAVIC drones.

CNN has used geolocation technology to identify the locations of the small-scale attacks and ground operation depicted in the drone videos. However, they were unable to independently confirm the date when these videos were filmed. The bombing of the Shambat bridge, which connects Omdurman and Khartoum, seemed to align with local social media reports of an attack occurring on September 8.

Just two days prior to the strikes, according to a credible Sudanese source, Wagner arranged for a significant arms convoy to be transported to Sudan through an RSF garrison in al-Zurug, situated in the southwestern part of the country near the Chad border. On September 6, multiple trucks carrying weapons from Wagner were observed arriving in Zurug, as reported by high-ranking Sudanese sources. Satellite images obtained by CNN revealed the presence of more than 100 vehicles, including numerous trucks, at the garrison on the same day as the reported arms convoy.

According to CNN, a pair of Chadian military informants disclosed that the convoy journeyed from Chad to Zurug, indicating a potential extension of Russia and Wagner's sphere of influence in Africa. This region is commonly acknowledged to encompass Mali, Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Libya.

Wagner, a formidable Russian private military company, has prominently participated in Moscow's overseas military endeavors, particularly in Ukraine, and has faced numerous allegations of committing acts of cruelty. In Africa, it has contributed to bolstering Moscow's expanding influence and acquisition of valuable resources.

Six drone strikes were carried out on pickup trucks driving on Shambat bridge. In addition, eight other attacks targeted parked vehicles, buildings, and armed men in Omdurman and the western suburb of Ombada. The Sudanese military has recently conducted a series of air raids in this area, specifically targeting RSF positions. These airstrikes have reportedly resulted in the loss of numerous civilian lives.

One of the videos displayed foreign fighters conducting a raid on a building. A clip from the video, apparently recorded on a body camera, depicted troops wearing night goggles, and one soldier was observed carrying a rocket launcher. The aerial shot, which showed the troops advancing towards the building, was geolocated by CNN to a neighborhood in Omdurman, close to the location of the drone strikes.

According to sources, CNN has previously reported that Wagner has been providing the RSF with surface-to-air missiles, supporting RSF paramilitary fighters and their leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, in his power struggle against Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan's military ruler and head of its armed forces. Wim Zwijnenburg, project leader for humanitarian disarmament at PAX, a Dutch peace organization, stated that the presence of these drones, as identified by CNN, is the first of its kind in Africa.

Photo illustration by Alberto Mier / CNN / Reuters

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Zwijnenburg, an expert in emerging military technologies, including drones, pointed out that the presence of these loitering drones in the African continent is unprecedented. However, he also noted that there has been an increase in their usage in Ukraine over the past year.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, both Ukrainian and Russian forces have been conducting experiments with FPV drones, outfitting them with rocket-propelled grenades. These highly maneuverable and precise explosives are capable of carrying a payload large enough to destroy vehicles. While drones have previously been utilized to drop bombs in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Libya, the utilization of weaponized commercial drones that detonate upon impact is a new development in Africa.

In the footage, some of the individuals targeted are observed wearing local clothing and pale fatigue uniforms, which are consistent with the attire worn by RSF soldiers and their affiliated militias. In one video, armed fighters are seen fleeing the scene of the attack while brandishing AK-47s.

The Sudanese military has been consistently carrying out aerial attacks on the RSF since the conflict between the two factions began in April. RSF head Hemedti stated in a recent speech that his forces have effectively gained control over Khartoum state, encompassing Omdurman. He also highlighted the indiscriminate aerial assaults in Omdurman and other urban centers.

Rapid Support Forces leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) speaks at a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan, in April 2019.

AP

Before the outbreak of violence this spring, Burhan and Hemedti were comrades in a military junta that deposed a transitional government recognized internationally in 2021. The Sudanese military administration had previously enjoyed the support of Wagner, but Hemedti gradually became Wagner's favored partner in the nation.

When the conflict erupted, Wagner completely abandoned the Sudanese army and instead threw their support behind Hemedti and his forces.

CNN has uncovered arm supply routes that have played a crucial role in sustaining the ongoing conflict. These routes operate through vital transit points under Wagner's control, including Russia's air and naval base located in Latakia along the Syrian coast, Wagner bases in Libya, and the Bangui airport situated in the Central African Republic. Wagner maintains a notable presence not only in the CAR but also across substantial areas of eastern Libya, which shares a border with Sudan and is under the control of renegade General Khalifa Haftar, who commands extensive territories.

According to a reliable Sudanese source, around 90% of the RSF's weapons have been supplied by Wagner. Despite the recent death of Wagner's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and his deputy, Dmitry Utkin, in a plane crash on August 23, their armament support to the RSF continues without interruption. The demise of Prigozhin has raised concerns regarding the future of Wagner's activities in Africa. This mercenary group has employed brutal tactics to support militant groups and authoritarian regimes in exchange for valuable minerals. It is believed that these resources, including significant concessio ns in Sudan's gold mining industry, have aided Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine and allowed them to evade extensive Western sanctions.

The late Yevgeny Prigozhin shared a video on August 21, days before his death, suggesting he was with Wagner mercenaries in Africa.

There is speculation among analysts and researchers that the Kremlin has taken control over the activities of PMC Wagner in Africa, with the intention of eventually incorporating the group into Russia's defense ministry. This move is seen as a response to the failed mutiny by Prigozhin in June.

Prigozhin, who had recently returned to Russia from Africa, tragically died in a jet crash outside Moscow, claiming the lives of everyone on board. Merely two days following his death, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov embarked on a tour of old Wagner stomping grounds, visiting Libya, Syria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the CAR.

In late July, during the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, General Andrey Averyanov, the head of covert offensive operations at Russia's military intelligence service (the GRU), held meetings with the leaders of Mali, the CAR, Eritrea, and Burkina Faso.

The high-level Sudanese source informed CNN that despite repeated inquiries about Wagners support for the RSF, the Kremlin has consistently claimed to be unaware of any such involvement. From our perspective, the Kremlin and Wagner have become indistinguishable.

As Kyiv continues its struggle against Russia, it has prioritized expanding its alliances beyond its borders, particularly in African nations. In the past year alone, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has embarked on three separate journeys to the continent, visiting over 10 countries.

"Russia exerts significant efforts to maintain its influence over countries, resorting to coercion, bribery, and instilling fear. In Africa, Russia employs two influential tools for its agenda, namely propaganda and the Wagner Group," expressed Kuleba in a recent interview with Agence France-Presse.

"Our objective is not to substitute Russia, but rather to emancipate Africa from its grasp," he further elaborated.

Reported from Kyiv, Victoria Butenko and Andrew Carey, and from NDjamena, Nima Elbagir, Barbara Arvanitidis, and Alex Platt. Tamara Qiblawi contributed reporting from London. Reporting from London were Gianluca Mezzofiore, Allegra Goodwin, and Pallabi Munsi. Additional reporting was provided by CNNs Lewis Whyld, Natasha Bertrand, and Katie Bo Lillis.