A Russian cargo aircraft blacklisted by the United States has touched down in South Africa, discharging helicopters, aeroplanes, and general freight, in a move that has stirred diplomatic tension.
The plane, owned by Abakan Air, was previously blacklisted by the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) because of its role supporting Russia's defence industry during the war in Ukraine. South Africa's Department of Transport approved the arrival despite the operator's sanctioned status, claiming no awareness of US sanctions.
