Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, visited Sudan on Monday, seemingly siding with the Sudanese military in their ongoing year-long struggle against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
This visit comes amidst uncertainties surrounding Russia’s true allegiances in Sudan. While Bogdanov expressed support for the “existing legitimacy” of the military-led Sovereign Council, Russia also maintains close ties with RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
Bogdanov’s meeting with Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Port Sudan, a city currently under army control, further bolsters the perception of Russia’s support for the military faction.
This development is particularly significant considering past accusations against Russia. Western officials have previously linked Russia’s private military group, Wagner, to illicit gold mining and disinformation campaigns within Sudan. Additionally, Russia has expressed interest in establishing a naval base on Sudan’s Red Sea coast, raising further questions about its strategic goals in the region.
While Russia recently began supplying diesel to Sudan, its true intentions and the potential long-term implications of its involvement in the Sudanese conflict remain a matter of speculation.
