When Sudan’s military ruler, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was facing rebel forces in the capital last summer, he reached out to an unexpected ally for assistance: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky had good reason to take the request seriously: Burhan had been secretly providing weapons to Kyiv since shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, as reported by Ukrainian and Sudanese military officials. Furthermore, the Sudanese rebels were supported by Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group, which had been involved in gold mining in the country and used the profits to finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
After a few weeks of the call, Ukrainian soldiers arrived in Sudan and started fighting against the rebel forces in the capital, Khartoum. This information was shared by some Ukrainian soldiers who were part of the operation.
Interestingly, the war between Ukraine and Russia has now expanded its front line into Africa. With the conflict in Ukraine reaching a point where neither side seems to be gaining an advantage, a global battle is emerging. This battle involves not only military forces but also revolves around the control of weapons and economic resources. It seems like both sides are preparing for a long-lasting war that could go on for many more years.
For quite some time, Moscow has been involved in mining gold and training fighters in various African nations. However, now they are intensifying their efforts to put economic pressure on smaller countries like Ecuador. The aim is to discourage them from indirectly supporting Kyiv by sending weapons. This shows how the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is not limited to their territories but has far-reaching implications across the globe.
Ukraine's decision to deploy troops to Africa is a bold move aimed at shaking up Russia's military and economic activities overseas, increasing the expenses of the war for Moscow, and establishing itself as a barrier against Russian advances, especially in areas where Western intervention has been limited.
Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, HUR, chose not to discuss the deployment of troops to Sudan during an interview. However, he did explain the reasons behind sending Ukrainian forces overseas.
"War is a dangerous endeavor," Budanov stated. "We are currently engaged in a full-scale war with Russia... They have troops stationed in various regions around the globe, and we occasionally attempt to target them there."
Requests for comment from Zelensky's spokesperson went unanswered.
This story is based on interviews conducted with multiple Ukrainian troops who participated in the Sudan operation, along with Sudanese soldiers, and video footage from Sudan that was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
In mid-August, the initial group of Ukrainian troops, consisting of nearly 100 soldiers primarily from HUR's Timur unit, arrived in Sudan via a charter jet. It was evident right away that Russia had a significant influence in the country, as Sudanese soldiers who had received training from Russian military academies served as translators.
The first task assigned to the Ukrainians was to assist in the evacuation of Burhan from Khartoum. The rebel group, known as the Rapid Support Forces, had surrounded him in the city. However, shortly after their arrival, Burhan traveled in a convoy to the compound located outside the capital, where the Ukrainian troops were stationed. According to Sudanese officials, his guards had managed to smuggle him out of Khartoum.
Upon arriving in Sudan, the Ukrainian troops, led by a 30-year-old HUR officer known as King, provided Burhan's guards with new AKM rifles and silencers. They then focused on attempting to drive the Wagner-backed rebels out of Khartoum. The conflict they encountered in Sudan was vastly different from what they were used to in Eastern Europe, with soldiers on both sides fighting in sandals and struggling to aim their rifles. Many Sudanese soldiers had not been paid, leading to a lack of motivation, and the absence of clear markings made friendly fire a constant danger.
The Ukrainian troops have also started teaching Sudanese soldiers some of the same strategies that have allowed them to fend off a larger Russian army. One of these tactics involves the use of drones. Ukrainian soldiers mentioned that the Sudanese forces had already purchased some explosive drones that explode upon impact with a target.
However, they were lacking important parts for these drones. The Ukrainians managed to locate the necessary components and assisted in providing the Sudanese with advanced Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones. These drones are capable of carrying out precise airstrikes. They were delivered to Sudan in February, as confirmed by a Sudanese military official and an RSF adviser. The Ukrainian officials from HUR declined to comment on their involvement in helping Sudan acquire the Bayraktar drones.
Ukraine continues to have an impact on Sudan. Recently, Burhan's troops managed to take back control of significant areas in Omdurman, marking significant progress in the conflict. Analysts credit this success to accurate drone attacks and the involvement of the Sudanese army's top-notch units. Moreover, Kyiv sent a delivery of wheat flour to Port Sudan, which was received just last week.
The RSF still holds power in some areas of western Khartoum, along with vast regions in the west and south of Sudan.
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