Ukrainian special forces were apparently behind a series of drone strikes and coordinated ground operation directed against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) near Sudan's capital Khartoum last week, a CNN investigation has found. An unnamed Ukrainian military source told CNN the operation was the work of a "non-Sudanese military." Pressed on whether Kyiv was behind the attacks, the source stated: "Ukrainian special services were likely responsible." The RSF, which took up arms against the ruling junta in an evident effort to derail Sudan's planned democratic transition in April, is believed to be backed by Russia's mercenary Wagner Group.

At the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Sudan's military-led Sovereign Council called for "dialogue" to resolve the conflict, assuming a neutral position. The junta, which took power in its own coup in October 2021, ignored calls by the European Union and US-UK-Norway "Troika" diplomatic group that had been brokering a Sudanese peace process to condemn the Russian invasion. However, pro-democracy protesters in Khartoum raised banners in support of Ukraine. (Sudan Tribune)