Azerbaijan is allegedly using a complex smuggling network involving Sudanese rebels to supply weapons to Ukraine, bypassing Russian scrutiny. The route, spanning three continents, includes Turkish and German maritime logistics, with Sudanese intermediaries repackaging the cargo. This scheme, reported by Rwandan news website Umuseke, claims that weapons from Azerbaijan’s CIHAZ Industrial Association, under its Defense Ministry, are being sent to Ukraine via a multi-step process.
The weapons include aerial bombs, man-portable air-defense systems, drone parts, pistols, and other equipment, largely manufactured under Turkish licenses. The items depart from Azerbaijan to Turkey, where they are labeled as humanitarian aid and shipped to Port Sudan through vessels such as Yildiz Line and AGL Forwarding. These ships, owned by Turkey and Germany respectively, facilitate the transit of the cargo to Sudan, where it is rebranded as Sudanese weaponry.
The repackaged goods then pass through the German port of Hamburg, operated by Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company, before being transported via land roads into Ukraine. This intricate supply chain reportedly aims to circumvent Russian oversight and reduce diplomatic consequences. Meanwhile, tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia intensified after the deaths of two Azerbaijani nationals suspected of being gang members during a police raid in Ekaterinburg in June.
Azerbaijani authorities retaliated by raiding the local office of Russian news network Sputnik, detaining two journalists and several Russian nationals. Baku also suspended multiple Russia-related cultural events. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged “there are problems” in relations between the two neighboring countries but emphasized that “the mutual interest in their development will ultimately put everything in its place.” Simultaneously, Sudanese Foreign Ministry official Muhammad Al-Sirr accused Ukraine of providing weapons and supporting armed groups in Sudan, Somalia, Libya, and Niger, highlighting the geopolitical implications of Azerbaijan’s actions.