A Russian cargo aircraft blacklisted by the United States landed in South Africa on Thursday, unloading general cargo, civilian helicopters, and acrobatic airplanes, according to Bloomberg.
The move has raised fresh concerns that tensions between South Africa and the U.S. could intensify following the arrival of the sanctioned plane.
The aircraft, an Ilyushin IL-76 operated by Moscow-based Abakan Air, was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in June 2024.
It was accused of transporting Russian military equipment and supporting Russia’s defense industrial base amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Flight-tracking data showed that the plane flew to Upington in South Africa’s Northern Cape through Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, before stopping to refuel at Lanseria Airport near Johannesburg.
Reports revealed the aircraft arrived heavily loaded with equipment, possibly including weaponry, but departed with an empty cargo hold.
Before its arrival in South Africa, the plane had reportedly spent an extended period in Iran.
In response to media inquiries, South Africa’s Department of Transport spokesperson, Collen Msibi, confirmed that Abakan Air had applied for a foreign operator permit on September 9, which was approved on September 23.
“The purpose was to transport general cargo, civilian helicopters, and acrobatic aeroplanes. It must also be noted that the South African government has not blacklisted the operator. Furthermore, we have no knowledge or receipt of any information from any other government that this operator has been blacklisted,” Msibi stated.
When questioned about whether the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) had been informed, DIRCO spokesperson Chris Phiri declined to comment and referred all questions to the Department of Transport.
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The incident has reignited diplomatic concerns about South Africa’s perceived closeness to Russia, despite its stated aim to maintain balanced relations with both Washington and Moscow.
International relations analysts warn that the development could anger U.S. President Donald Trump and evoke comparisons to the 2022 “Lady R” controversy, when a U.S.-sanctioned Russian cargo ship docked at a South African naval base amid claims that Pretoria was supplying weapons to Russia.
Although a judicial inquiry later found no evidence to support those allegations, the “Lady R” episode temporarily strained diplomatic ties, jeopardized South Africa’s preferential trade access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and contributed to a record low for the rand against the U.S. dollar.
Observers note that the latest episode comes at a particularly sensitive time, following the expiration of AGOA.
Relations between Washington and Pretoria have continued to worsen since Trump’s return to the White House, with the U.S. freezing aid to South Africa and imposing the highest import tariffs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Reports also suggest that U.S. lawmakers are drafting new legislation to reassess ties with South Africa, citing its alleged support for American adversaries.
Financially, Abakan Air is reportedly on a debt watchlist due to payment arrears for aviation services, including fuel costs, according to South African publication Rapport.
This latest landing adds to a growing list of controversial visits by Russian transport operators to South Africa.
It highlights the deepening diplomatic tension between Pretoria and Washington over trade, sanctions, and global alignments, as South Africa continues to balance its international relationships under increasing scrutiny.
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Image Credit: The Citizen
