The documentary materials presented in the investigation were provided exclusively by the ‘Cyber Resistance’ group.

On October 21, 2024, a Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76 (Il-76) strategic airlifter was shot down in Sudan, with Russian citizens likely on board. According to Sudan War Monitor, the plane was downed by insurgents from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group that had previously supported the government. Among the casualties was Viktor Granov, Chief Engineer of Airline Transport Incorporation FZC. Details are still being investigated, but it is known that the aircraft was chartered from the UAE and was based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. It is believed the plane was carrying weapons for the RSF and was shot down by friendly fire.

However, let’s not delve into the military and political situation in Sudan, but instead focus on how Moscow uses its transport aviation fleet, primarily consisting of Il-76 airlifters, to supply military equipment to “friendly” nations and, more importantly, to circumvent sanctions.

We’ll begin with the Russian airline JSC Aviacon Zitotrans (Russian: АО Авиакомпания “Авиакон Цитотранс”), which handles various transport operations and specializes in both domestic Russian and long-haul international flights. The core of this airline’s fleet consists of Il-76 freighters. The company is already subject to international sanctions for transporting military equipment such as missiles, warheads, and helicopter parts to Africa, Venezuela, and other countries.

However, these sanctions have had little impact on the company’s operations, as it continues to carry various goods.

For example, Aviacon Zitotrans is involved in delivering aviation equipment from JSC Rostvertol (Russian: ПАО “Роствертол”) to the Ugandan army. On the return leg, the planes refuel in the UAE, potentially picking up dual-use sanctioned goods without declaring them on the manifests.

Flight Plan for the Transportation of Aviation Equipment to Uganda by Aviacon Zitotrans

In another shipment, the Ministry of Defense of Uganda, through Aviacon Zitotrans, transports electronics for the Russian companies JSC Konstruktorskoe Buro Priborostroeniya (KBP, Russian: АО “Конструкторское бюро приборостроения”)  and the well-known Russian company JSC Concern VKO “Almaz-Antey” (Russian: ОАО “Концерн ВКО “Алмаз-Антей”).

However, questions arise given the weight of the return leg cargo raises questions, as the use of an Il-76 cargo plane to transport 25 kg of electronics is highly unlikely. Given that the company holds a license to transport radioactive materials, logical questions emerge about what the Il-76 cargo plane was actually carrying?

Information on the transportation of electronics from Uganda by Aviacon Zitotrans for KBP and Almaz-Antey.

Letter of authorization from the Rostekhnadzor on the transportation of radioactive materials by Aviacon Zitotrans

Other sanctioned goods transported by aviation companies include oil and gas equipment from Qatar and the UAE for Russian oil and gas companies.

Flight plan for the transportation of oil and gas equipment to Russia from Qatar by Aviacon Zitotrans

Air waybill for the transportation of oil and gas equipment to Russia from the UAE by Aviacon Zitotrans

It is evident that this civilian aviation company collaborates with the Russian Ministry of Defense. This collaboration is necessary to use military airfields for loading military equipment intended for export to other countries, as well as for handling special goods, including those subject to sanctions.

Letter of authorization from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to use a military airfield by Aviacon Zitotrans

Another interesting detail is that this aviation company actively participated in the UN World Food Programme, delivering food supplies to African countries. However, there are suspicions that it may have been transporting not only humanitarian cargo but also military equipment.

The Food Distribution Program to African Countries under the UN Program

For transporting “sensitive” cargo and carrying out special tasks, the company likely employs pilots with military experience, particularly former pilots from military aviation and the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM).

One such individual is Maksim Igorevich Okss, a former colonel of the Russian Aerospace Forces, who served in military unit 21350 (Tver) until 2018. After his discharge, he worked for the airline “Alrosa,” and since 2021, he has been part of the aviation squadron of FGUP “ASK EMERCOM of Russia,” performing tasks within the framework of EMERCOM operations.

Maksim Okss, a former military pilot of the Russian Aerospace Forces, is currently a pilot in the ARC EMERCOM.

Employment Record Book of Maksim Okss

It is worth noting that Maksim Okss has skills in the air transportation of dangerous goods, making him a valuable specialist for carrying out such specialized tasks.

Certificate of completion by Maksim Okss of the refresher course on the air transportation of dangerous goods

According to the flight roster of ARC EMERCOM, the most frequent flights are to Yerevan (Armenia) and Changzhou (China), countries considered friendly to the regime in Moscow. The return legs of such airlifters are often not related to humanitarian cargo but are likely linked to dual-use goods, which may be subject to sanctions and utilized in Russia’s military industry.

Flight roster of ARC EMERCOM of Russia

The available information strongly suggests that Moscow’s transport aviation fleet is primarily used for the delivery of weapons and military equipment to “friendly” African countries. Additionally, this fleet plays a crucial role in circumventing international sanctions by transporting sanctioned goods for Russia’s military industry.

Russian airfreight companies are supported by the Russian army, as well as other state bodies, such as EMERCOM, which provide airports and, in some cases, even pilots to these aviation companies.

The downing of the Il-76 over Sudan has only highlighted this issue, once again, reminding that it is essential to conduct more detailed and thorough monitoring of the Russian airlifter fleet, which, much like the shadow maritime fleet, is used to evade international sanctions.

Compiled specially for InformNapalm readership. Distribution and reprint with reference to the source is welcome! (Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0) . Subscribe to InformNapalm social media pages.

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