The emergence of Russian mercenaries in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, through media reports and pictures, raises fears that the Kremlin is working to support President Omar Hassan al-Bashir's regime amid protests that are calling for his regime to be overthrown. The protests.
The reports and pictures came as protests mounted against the government, which faces the biggest threat since the regime came to power 30 years ago.
Russia's deployment of Russian troops comes as Russia seeks to develop trade and security ties with Sudan, the newspaper said, noting that Moscow has authorized the establishment of atomic energy projects in Congo, Nigeria and Sudan.
Witnesses and eyewitnesses reported that a Russian-made truck carrying white men in green uniforms appeared in a Khartoum neighborhood.
Some observers believe the soldiers are Russian military contractors from the Wagner group, which is charged with guarding Sudanese gold, uranium and diamond mines, as well as atomic energy facilities. Russian media reported earlier that Wagner was training the Sudanese armed forces.
That force trained special forces that arrived in Khartoum a few days ago and were housed in areas in Jabal Awlia and West Omdurman, whose mission was to intervene in any emergency in connection with the recent protests.
According to Small War, Wagner is a private Russian military contractor registered in Hong Kong. The magazine also states that it is not fully independent, but is an extension of the Russian military intelligence.
Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir has asked for protection from Russia in the face of the United States. This came at the start of a visit to Russia by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in December last year.
But Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denied the British media reported on the work of Russian security companies in Sudan and the authorities helped to resolve the protests, calling them "fake news."
She pointed out that, according to data from the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian security companies in Sudan are private companies, not related to the Russian government.
She added that her job is specific: preparing cadres for security forces in the Republic of Sudan.
The demonstrations broke out on December 19 in protest against the deterioration of economic conditions, and the demonstrators later raised the ceiling of their demands to call for the departure of the Bashir regime.