In a statement published earlier Monday, the RSF called the aircraft, which was downed in Sudan’s Malha region in northern Darfur, a “foreign warplane” aiding the Sudanese military and accused it of dropping “barrel bombs” on civilians.

Earlier on Monday, Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed they shot down a cargo jet in the western region of Darfur. The Associated Press (AP) reported that footage recorded by mobile phone appeared to show debris while RSF fighters displayed what is believed to be identity documents found from the crashed aircraft.

Russia says it is investigating the claimed shoot-down of a cargo jet by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Darfur.

Russia says it is investigating the claimed shoot-down of a cargo plane by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed to have shot down a cargo plane in Darfur, with speculation that Russian nationals may have been on board.

In Sudan, which is beset by domestic conflict, an Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft belonging to the United Arab Emirates has been shot down, with part of the crew reported to be Russian. The Mash channel on Telegram reports that the plane's downing was claimed by rebels from the pro-government paramilitary group,