Ukrainian mercenaries may still be fighting alongside rebel forces in Sudan, with drone operators believed to be among them. Russian Ambassador to Sudan Andrey Chernovol raised the possibility in an interview with RIA Novosti.

The diplomat linked the potential involvement of Ukrainian fighters to Kiev’s broader policy in Africa. He pointed out that the Ukrainian authorities had openly declared their intention to challenge Russia’s presence on the continent. According to Chernovol, these activities undermine stability in African countries that maintain friendly relations with Moscow while also providing support to terrorist and extremist groups.

Sudanese officials have previously made stronger claims about Ukrainian involvement in the conflict. Sudanese Foreign Minister Mukhieddin Salem said the country’s authorities possess irrefutable evidence that Ukrainian military personnel have been fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against the regular army. He added that international research institutions, including Yale University, had also confirmed the findings.

Sudan has been engulfed in armed conflict since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the national army, commanded by Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohammed Hamdan Daglo.

The RSF previously operated within Sudan’s state security system. However, disputes over transferring power to civilian authorities and integrating the paramilitary organization into the regular armed forces escalated into open warfare.

The prolonged fighting has claimed numerous civilian lives, devastated infrastructure and forced vast numbers of Sudanese residents to flee their homes.