Zelensky discusses Russia-backed groups with Sudan's leader during unplanned meeting.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had an "unplanned meeting" with Sudan's Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, an army general and de-facto ruler of the African country, on Sept.

23. The meeting took place at the Shannon Airport in Ireland. A photo posted by Zelensky on Telegram showed him, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, al-Burhan, and a Sudanese delegation during the discussion.

Zelensky said that the leaders had discussed security, including the activities of the Russia-backed armed militia in Sudan. The announcement comes after a reported Ukrainian attack against Russian Wagner-backed militia in Sudan. Ukrainian special services may have been responsible for a military operation involving a series of drone strikes and a ground operation against a Wagner-backed militia in Sudan, according to a CNN investigation published on Sept.

19. The attacks targeted the Wagner-backed militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been fighting al-Burhan's Sudanese army for control of the country since April. The Wagner Group's involvement in African countries, including Sudan, has been linked to the Russian government's efforts to finance its war in Ukraine.

CNN's investigation did not find conclusive proof that Ukraine was behind the operation but did obtain video footage showing "the hallmarks of Ukrainian-style drone attacks." Experts consulted in the investigation also told CNN that the tactics used in the strikes reflect Ukrainian military patterns. A top-ranking Sudanese military official told CNN he had "no knowledge of a Ukrainian operation in Sudan."

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the operation in Sudan. However, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) spokesperson Andrii Yusov said following the report on Sept.

20, citing HUR's chief Kyrylo Budanov, that "Ukraine will eliminate Russian war criminals wherever they may be in the world."

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Reporter

Alexander Khrebet is a reporter with the Kyiv Independent. He covers Ukraine's foreign policy, alleged abuse of power in the country's military leadership, and reports on the Russian-occupied territories.

Alexander is the European Press Prize 2023 winner, the #AllForJan Award 2023 winner and Ukraine's 2022 National Investigative Journalism Award finalist.

His was published in the Washington Times and Atlantic Council.