UAE Government Used Sanctioned Russian ‘Shadow’ Airline
A Defense News investigation into the activities of Aviacon Zitotrans, a Russian air cargo company sanctioned because of links to Moscow’s mercenary forces, found it had been used extensively by the UAE government over the last year or so.
On Wednesday, Defense News reported a disturbing investigation into Russia’s Aviacon Zitotrans air cargo company. The sanctioned carrier, known for its fleet of four-engined Ilyushin Il-76 freighters, has been targeted by the US, Canada, and Ukraine due to its support of Russian forces and mercenary operations in Africa. The company's website boasts that its aging aircraft conduct heavy lift missions, including government, aerospace, military, humanitarian, and relief operations involving dangerous goods and animals.
Among these planes are four, named RA-76842, RA-76502, RA-76846, and RA-76834, currently blocked by the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.
During the course of their review of nearly 9,000 flight records since the start of 2025, investigators identified around 100 flights operating between three air bases in the UAE and at least seven African nations, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Libya. Notably, some of these UAE-based flights deliberately disabled tracking transponders over the Gulf of Aden. The UAE's Al Ain Airport, Abu Dhabi, and Sweihan Air Bases have been linked to these clandestine operations.
Defense News highlighted the Pakistan destination, a private, unregistered airstrip known for hosting falconry trips by members of the UAE’s royal family. Senior analyst Margaux Garcia from C4ADS, a nonprofit organization monitoring illicit networks, noted that if Aviacon Zitotrans is running missions for both the UAE and Russia, it would be a significant development.
The UAE is reported to back the Rapid Support Forces involved in Sudan's civil conflict, while some of the destinations of UAE-sponsored flights are engaged in ongoing disputes, some of which appear to clash with the UAE's purported support for the west.
Among the aircraft under scrutiny, RA-76842 has a peculiar past. Seized in Afghanistan in 1995, it flew from Tirana to Kabul before being held captive for over a year. Its crew managed an escape, ultimately reaching Russia via the UAE. Earlier this month, the aircraft was renamed after its captain, Vladimir Sharpatov.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
