Investigation Exposes UAE Missions with Sanctioned Russian Shadow Airline in Africa

The United Arab Emirates appears to have regularly used Aviacon Zitotrans, a sanctioned Russian cargo airline tied to Kremlin military and paramilitary operations, during the past year, according to a Defense News investigation. Flight records, leaked company documents, aviation filings and emails suggest more than 100 missions for the UAE government and royal family since mid 2025.

The United States, Canada and Ukraine have sanctioned Aviacon Zitotrans for supporting Russia’s war effort. The specific aircraft appearing in records of UAE operations have also been designated as blocked property by the U.S. government.

Flight tracks show the airline’s Soviet era Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft connecting the UAE with destinations across Africa. Those flights followed routes and operating patterns used by other operators tied to UAE support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces during Sudan’s civil war.

Several flights departed from UAE military bases rather than civilian airports, indicating a government connection. UAE embassies in Vienna and Washington, the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the UAE foreign ministry and Aviacon Zitotrans did not respond to requests for comment.

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Other Aviacon Zitotrans flights apparently traveled from the UAE to Chandana Airstrip, also known as Al Habieb Airport, in eastern Pakistan. Previous reporting has connected the private airstrip to Abu Dhabi’s ruling Al Nahyan family and identified it as an entry point to royal falconry hunting grounds.

Defense News reviewed footage showing UAE and Pakistani flags, large portraits of Gulf monarchs and Pakistani politicians, and a decorated airport waiting room. A private plane tracker reported in 2022 that UAE personnel are flown there before the royals use the airstrip.

When not working for the UAE, Aviacon Zitotrans conducts missions for the Russian government, including weapons shipments. Leaked documents show deliveries of combat helicopters to Southeast Asia and armored personnel vehicles to Turkey, along with a special Russian government exemption permitting the airline to transport missiles and warheads.

The company advertises “government and military airlifts” and says its Il-76 aircraft are “capable of operating from short and unpaved runways.” It also promotes their ability to load armored personnel carriers, utility trucks, trailers and other rolling equipment through the cabin and rear ramp.

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Aviacon Zitotrans has drawn scrutiny for its Russian operations in Africa, including support linked to Moscow’s mercenary presence. The Wagner Group operated extensively in Africa south of the Sahara before being rebranded as Africa Corps following the death of leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The UAE has maintained commercial and diplomatic relations with Russia while most Western countries reduced trade with Russian state affiliated entities. Leaked Aviacon Zitotrans air waybills reviewed by Defense News showed Western goods, including sanctioned electronics, being procured through the Gulf monarchy.

At least three affiliated aircraft, RA-76842, RA-76502 and RA-76846, have flown routes matching known UAE government sponsored mission patterns since September 2025. A fourth aircraft, RA-76834, connected Sweihan Air Base with Bosaso, Somalia, before Somali authorities canceled relevant UAE agreements in January 2026.

The three aircraft responsible for most apparent UAE chartered missions are explicitly listed as blocked property by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. Other Aviacon Zitotrans aircraft are blocked through their connection to the sanctioned company.

Many flights began at Al Ain, Abu Dhabi airport or a UAE military base before heading toward the Gulf of Aden. Their transponder tracks frequently disappeared there, then reappeared in the same area hours or days later as the aircraft returned to the UAE.

Defense News assembled a database of almost 9,000 flights involving several shadow airlines since early 2025 using ADS-B transponder and MLAT location records. Each flight was manually reviewed, with local reporting, ground photography and satellite imagery used when deliberate concealment or limited coverage left gaps.

Some tracks identified Ethiopia as a recurring destination, particularly Harar Meda Air Base and Addis Ababa International Airport. Ethiopian embassies in Washington and Berlin did not answer requests for comment.

Russia and the UAE support opposing sides in Sudan’s civil war, creating the possibility that the same Aviacon Zitotrans aircraft may supply both camps. The aircraft have flown from Russia and Turkey into Port Sudan while also operating apparent UAE missions through Africa that likely supported the Rapid Support Forces.

Aircraft were also tracked in Libya, Uganda, D.R. Congo and Nigeria, although many of those missions were likely connected to Russia rather than the UAE. Defense News previously tracked an Aviacon Zitotrans Il-76 to Venezuela in October 2025, where it was later revealed to have delivered a Russian air defense system.

“If this is the case that Aviacon is also running missions for the UAE alongside illicit missions for Russia, then it is significant because it shows that the UAE does not see the sanctions against Aviacon as a sufficient deterrent to stop working with them,” C4ADS senior analyst Margaux Garcia concluded.

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