Ukrainian special services were likely behind a series of drone strikes and a ground operation against a Wagner-backed militia near Sudan’s capital, according to a CNN investigation, showing that the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has spread far beyond the front lines of the war.

Speaking to CNN, a Ukrainian military source described the operation as the work of a “non-Sudanese army”. Pressed on whether Kiev was behind the attacks, the source said “Ukrainian special services were most likely responsible”.

The operation included a series of attacks against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary groupwhich is believed to be receiving help from Wagner, the Russian mercenary group, in its fight against the Sudanese military for control of the country.

CNN could not independently confirm Ukraine’s involvement in the attack. However, video obtained by CNN reveals that the attack was carried out by Ukrainian-style drones.

Two drones, which are commercially available and widely used by Ukrainianswere involved in at least eight of the strikes, with Ukrainian words written on the drone’s controller.

Experts also said that the tactics used, namely the design of the drones swooping directly on their target, were highly unusual in Sudan and the wider African region.