OREANDA-NEWS. August 31, 2010.  According to a report of the Russian Embassy in Sudan, citing information received from representatives of Sudan’s Badr Airlines, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), and the Sudanese authorities, on 29 August at 16.00 local time a Russian crew working under contract with Badr Airlines, consisting of aircraft commander V. V. Malai, copilot K. V. Pelikayev and flight engineer G. N. Filevchenko, was returning from a flight from Nyala Airport (South Darfur). Approximately 50 meters from the villa where the Russians reside, their minibus was seized by unidentified armed men in camouflage. The pilots were moved to the assailants’ vehicle at gunpoint and taken to an unknown destination.

The Russians’ whereabouts are still unknown. According to preliminary reports, the crew is being held in Nyala and was not taken outside the city.

The Sudanese authorities in close contact with the Russian Embassy in Khartoum are taking vigorous steps to find the Russian citizens.