RUSSIA’s powerful paramilitary group, Wagner has played a significant role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, spearheading the frontlines in the battle for the key city of Bakhmut.
The paramilitary group has also been accused of committing various atrocities and was known for helping increase Russia’s already growing influence in Africa.
And on Friday, a report claims that Wagner has been allegedly supplying Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with missiles to help their fight against Sudan’s army.
Maxar satellite images analyzed by CNN and the open source group “all eyes on Wagner” show one Russian Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft that is shuttling between two Libyan airbases allegedly belonging to Hafter and is used by the Wagner group.
CNN, citing sources, said that this plane supplied Sudan’s RSF with weaponry, including surface-to-air missiles.
The report also said that there is an unusual uptick in activity on Wagner bases located bordering Libya, where rogue Sudanese General Khalifa Haftar, controls the land.
The said rogue general is also allegedly being backed by Wagner.
Haftar earlier denied taking sides in the conflict between RSF and Sudan’s armed forces.
Meanwhile, Wagner has yet to release a statement regarding the report, but earlier, it denied that it was operating in Sudan, insisting that it had nothing to do with the battles currently rocking the African state.
On Wednesday, the Wagner released a statement on telegram, saying, and quote due to a large number of inquiries from various foreign media about Sudan, most of which are provocative, we consider it necessary to inform everyone that Wagner staff have not been in Sudan for more than two years.
“Due to the large number of inquiries from various foreign media about Sudan, most of which are provocative, we consider it necessary to inform everyone that Wagner staff have not been in Sudan for more than two years,” statement of Wagner PMC.
Wagner also said it had not had any contact with the commander of the Sudanese armed forces, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, or Paramilitary Head General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, for a long time.
And that companies associated with Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin have zero financial interests in Sudan, saying that the conflict was entirely an internal Sudanese affair.
