A hidden front emerges in the war between Ukraine and Russia, as Ukrainian troops venture into Africa to battle Russia's Wagner Group and disrupt its economic lifeline in Sudan.
When Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan faced rebel forces in the capital last year, he turned to an unexpected ally: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This alliance stemmed from Burhan's covert supply of weapons to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in 2022, while Russia's Wagner Group supported Burhan's opponents.
Responding to Burhan's call, Ukrainian commandos launched a clandestine operation to push rebels out of Khartoum, thrusting Sudan into the global conflict. This unprecedented move highlights the evolving nature of the war: a battle for resources and economic leverage, not just territorial control.
Ukraine's aim is to disrupt Russia's military and economic operations in Africa, specifically Wagner's gold mining activities that finance Moscow's war efforts. This strategy aims to make the war more costly for Russia and position Ukraine as a global force against Russian influence.
Deploying troops to a complex internal conflict in a foreign nation raises significant political and humanitarian concerns. The Sudanese conflict has claimed numerous lives, and both sides have been accused of war crimes. The US has warned against fueling further atrocities.
Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR), acknowledges the global dimension of the war, stating their intention to target Russian forces worldwide. While Zelensky's office remained silent, evidence from interviews and video footage corroborates the presence of Ukrainian troops in Sudan.
Nearly 100 Ukrainian soldiers, primarily from HUR's Timur unit, arrived in Sudan via a charter jet. Initially, they assisted Burhan's escape from Khartoum, surrounded by rebel forces. The stark contrast between Ukrainian and Sudanese soldiers, both in tactics and equipment, underlines the complexities of the conflict.
Leveraging night-vision technology and drones, Ukrainians launched night raids, exploiting the rebels' lack of night-fighting capabilities. This tactic proved successful initially, but rebels eventually adapted by hiding their positions.
Sudan's strategic importance stems from its abundance of weapons and gold. The influx of weapons during past conflicts transformed Sudan into a potential arms supplier for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia's long-standing involvement in Sudanese gold mines, facilitated by Wagner, provided Moscow with a vital financial resource.
Wagner, notorious for its involvement in various African conflicts, played a key role in supplying the rebels, offering heavy weaponry and recruiting fighters from the Central African Republic. However, Ukrainian forces did not directly engage Wagner mercenaries, focusing on disrupting their influence and operations.
Ukrainian involvement in Sudan marks a unique chapter in the war. The absence of Wagner fighters during Ukrainian operations suggests their focus on supporting rebel groups indirectly. This intricate web of alliances and hidden agendas underscores the complex and constantly evolving nature of the global conflict.
Ukrainian troops completed their missions in Sudan without reported casualties. While the effectiveness of this operation in disrupting Russia's interests remains undetermined, it opens a new chapter in the war, highlighting the growing global reach of the conflict and the lengths to which nations are willing to go to achieve their objectives.
