Bellingcat has examined videos purporting to show Ukrainian special operations forces in Sudan, amidst rumors that Ukrainian mercenaries have been aiding the Sudanese Armed Forces. This comes after it was confirmed that Russian mercenaries, including the Wagner paramilitary group, have been in Sudan since 2017. The footage, which includes alleged Ukrainian mercenaries and drone strikes, has been analyzed and partially geolocated to Sudan. However, a definitive connection to Ukrainian forces has not been conclusively established.
Key Points:
- There have been suspicions of Ukrainian mercenaries supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces against the Rapid Support Forces since the outbreak of war in Sudan.
- A video alleged to show Ukrainian forces in Sudan began circulating online, with claims that it features Ukrainians fighting against the RSF. The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service HUR MOU, Kyrylo Budanov, has commented on the situation.
- Bellingcat was able to geolocate certain scenes in the video to locations in Sudan, such as the Al-Markhiyat mountains and regions in Omdurman.
- Drone footage analyzed by Bellingcat depicted multiple strikes in Sudan, some of which align with prior CNN reports that suggested Ukrainian special forces involvement.
- Although the footage was confirmed to be from Sudan, Bellingcat has not yet conclusively verified that the armed men in the videos are members of the Ukrainian military or special forces.
