Ukrainian SkyUp aircraft reportedly damaged in Sudan, crew evacuated
Air plus news showed at least two planes burning at Khartoum airport (Photo:Скриншот відео Аir plus news/Twitter)
One of two planes belonging to the Ukrainian airline SkyUp was reportedly damaged at Sudan’s Khartoum International Airport amid an attempted military coup on April 15, according to media reports.
Air Plus News, a French-language news outlet, shared a video showing at least two planes on fire at Khartoum Airport. According to reports, one of the planes belongs to SkyUp, while the other is a plane from Saudi Arabia whose passengers had been evacuated.
SkyUp in turn reported that the damaged aircraft’s emergency locator beacon had been activated, and its condition could not be assessed at present. Thirty-six SkyUp employees currently in the country are in a “relatively safe place,” and communication with them has been established.
Spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Oleh Nikolenko told the New Voice that the head of the Ukrainian Honorary Consulate in Sudan was taking care of the crew members.
The MFA also refuted reports that Ukrainian hostages had bene taken in that country, and recommended that Ukrainians refrain from traveling to Sudan amid the deteriorating security situation. Those who are there now should stay at home and not visit areas near airports, military bases, and the government quarter.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ukraine in Egypt are keeping the safety of Ukrainian citizens in Sudan under the radar," Nikolenko said.
In early 2023, the airline’s planes were operating flights from Sudan to Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Sudan is currently in the midst of an attempted military coup. On April 15, after several days of tension in Khartoum, clashes broke out between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The latter claimed to have taken control of the presidential palace, the army commander’s residence, and the international airport in the capital. Witnesses reported the presence of armored vehicles on the streets and fighter jets in the sky, while medics reported civilian casualties.
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