The Il-76 cargo plane shot down over Sudan on October 21 had been removed from Kyrgyzstan’s civil aviation registry earlier this year, according to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry. Originally registered as EX-76011, the plane was officially deregistered on January 12, 2024, and subsequently transferred to Sudan’s registration.
The downed aircraft, a Soviet-era Il-76 heavy transport plane, has been widely used in conflict zones for its cargo capacity and versatility. Its crash in Sudan occurred amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
Addressing concerns about the passengers, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry clarified that no Kyrgyz citizens were on board. A document found at the crash site belonged to Viktor Granov, a Russian national employed by “Airline Transport Incorporation FZC,” not an employee of Manas International Airport in Bishkek. The Kyrgyz Embassy in Saudi Arabia has requested further details through diplomatic channels and confirmed that initial data suggests no Kyrgyz nationals were involved.
The Foreign Ministry continues to monitor the situation closely, as fighting in Sudan persists between multiple armed groups vying for control, posing challenges for both local and international operations.