Reports from a television outlet claim that Moscow pressed for a fuel and lubricants supply point along the Red Sea as a condition for arms deliveries to Sudan. The assertion was attributed to a deputy head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, who spoke on al Arabiya. The outlet framed the claim as Russia asking for a refueling hub in exchange for weapons, a detail that allegedly came from journalists close to Sudan’s transitional leadership.
According to the source, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, is anticipated to formalize agreements with Russia in the near future. The report suggested that such deals could shape security and military cooperation during Sudan’s ongoing efforts to navigate internal transition and regional security dynamics. While the exact terms and timelines remain unclear, the conversation around military support and strategic positioning has attracted attention from observers tracking Sudan-Russia relations.
In a related development, authorities in Khartoum announced in April a decision restricting the operation of certain foreign media outlets, including Al Arabiya, Al Hadath, and Sky News, citing concerns over journalistic ethics. The decree was issued by the Minister of Culture and Information and signaled official sensitivities around media coverage during a period of intensified political scrutiny and regional diplomacy.
Earlier in the year, Mohammed Fattah al-Burhan Rahman, son of the interim president, was hospitalized following a motorcycle accident in Ankara. The incident underscored the ongoing turbulence and the high profile of Sudan’s ruling figures, even as the government continues to manage governance challenges and scrutiny from regional partners and international audiences.
Looking back at official remarks from Russia’s leadership, President Vladimir Putin has often framed relations with Africa as rooted in mutual interests, highlighting energy, security, and development cooperation as common ground. The discourse reflects a broader pattern of dialogue between Moscow and African states as they navigate shifting geopolitical landscapes and seek strategic partners in a complex, multipolar world.