Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said they shot down a Sudanese Air Force (SAF) Il-76 transport aircraft near the city of Babanusa in southwestern Sudan on Tuesday, killing all personnel aboard.
In a statement, the RSF said its air defense units had “successfully shot down an Ilyushin military aircraft” after the aircraft carried out airstrikes that killed civilians in the towns of Wad Banda, Aiyal Bakhit, El-Fula, and Babanusa.
Footage circulating online appears to show debris from the aircraft. Open-source outlet Clash Report said the RSF used a Chinese-made FK-2000 air defense system supplied by the UAE to strike the aircraft, though the claim has not been independently verified.
Sudan’s UAE-backed RSF militia shot down Sudan Air Force Il-76 transport plane over Babanusa, West Kordofan, killing all aboard.
Debris shows UAE-supplied, Chinese-made FK-2000 missile was used. pic.twitter.com/bzwwWAGPDZ
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 5, 2025
The FK-2000, developed by China’s NORINCO, is similar to the Russian Pantsir-S system. It combines short-range missiles with twin 30 mm cannons and has a range of 10 to 15 kilometers.
A spokesman for the SAF’s 22nd Infantry Division confirmed the loss of an Il-76, but offered a different explanation, saying it was caused by “a sudden technical failure in the right wing, which led to a fire and loss of control.”
Sudanese government forces stated the aircraft was on a supply drop mission for troops surrounded by RSF forces in Babanusa when the incident occurred.
Russian military-linked Telegram channels reported that the downed aircraft was flown by an all-Russian civilian crew working under contract. Russia has not commented on the report, and the claim has not been independently verified.
👀🇷🇺🇸🇩 Rebels in Sudan shot down a Il-76 military transport plane with all-Russian crew.
❗Local media reports there are no survivors. pic.twitter.com/UjDUyWQLYX
— Molo44 🇮🇹🇺🇦 (@MoloWarMonitor) November 5, 2025
