Russian Export Group Denies Fighter Shipment Claims

The Mig 29 is in widespread service around the world Russian export group Rosoboronexport has denied allegations that it is involved in the exportation of Russian combat jets to Sudan, after a publication claimed on July 21^st that a number of aircraft had been sent there.

Arms Sales to Sudan

Such a delivery would be a contravention of a United Nations Security Council ruling prohibiting the sale of arms to the country.

"Rosoboronexport has not been directly or indirectly involved in the delivery of Mig 29 fighters to Sudan", Vyacheslav Davidenko, a spokesman for the group, stated today.

Rosoboronexport, he added, "complies in good faith with international laws in respect to deliveries of military goods to countries under UN Security Council sanctions."

Quoting an unidentified source, the Sudan Tribune reported that 12 Mig 29 combat jets were subtly ferried to Sudan through a firm in Belarus earlier this month. It did not confirm, however, whether Belarus was involved in the sale, or just a part of the route taken by the fighters during their transit.

Weapons Sale Ban

Use of the aircraft in Darfur would violate the Security Council's Resolution 1591, a legislation banning the sale of weapons either to the Sudanese government or to rebels in Darfur.

In 2007, Amnesty International claimed that Russia had been arming Sudan - claims denied by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Also last year, rebels in Darfur shot a Mig 29 out of the sky, the strike resulting in the death of its pilot.