Rebels Seize Tanks and Su-25s in Democratic Republic of Congo

31 January, 2025 A DR Congo Su-25 attack aircraft captured by March 23 Movement militants, January 30, 2025. Photo: RBA Digital The Congolese rebels of the March 23 Movement captured a Su-25 attack aircraft, as well as a large number of armored vehicles and artillery, including the Ukrainian-made Bastion system.

The footage of the trophy equipment was published by the reporters of the Rwandan edition of RBA Digital, who managed to get into the rebel-held city of Goma. Having driven the government forces out of the besieged border town on August 30, the militants took control of key positions and the Mpuzamahanga airport, located in the middle of the construction site, where troops and Congolese combat aircraft were stationed. It is reported that during the operation to capture Goma, which had lasted three days, the March 23 Movement fighters had been confronted by Hibu special forces and the Congolese Guard.

About 480 people were taken prisoner. The most significant trophy was a Su-25 attack aircraft based at the captured airport. At one time, six of these aircraft were supplied by Russia.

Together with Mi-24 helicopters, they make up the combat component of the DR Congo's aviation. Militants also managed to capture a significant arsenal of armored vehicles.

The operators showed about a dozen BATT UMG armored vehicles, two T-55 tanks in unknown condition and a large number of off-road vehicles. Among the artillery, two old Soviet-era 12 mm M-30 howitzers and 122 mm D-30 howitzer were spotted. In addition, a Bastion multiple rocket launcher system on the KrAZ chassis, manufactured by the Shepetivka Repair Plant, was captured in working order.

In the hangars of the air base, journalists caught a glimpse of shipping containers with Belarusian Berkut-BM decoy drones.