A Russian cargo aircraft, blacklisted by the United States, landed in Upington in the Northern Cape, sparking fresh concerns about Pretoria’s foreign policy direction and its increasingly strained relationship with Washington.
The aircraft – an Ilyushin IL-76 operated by Abakan Air – was reportedly offloading general cargo, civilian helicopters, and acrobatic aircraft, according to the Department of Transport, which confirmed the landing over the weekend.
Blacklisted by the US
Abakan Air was sanctioned by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in June 2024 for allegedly supporting Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
The airline was accused of transporting military equipment and aiding Russia’s defence industrial base.
Despite these sanctions, South Africa approved Abakan Air’s application for a foreign operator permit, which was submitted on September 9 and granted on September 23.
“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,” said Transport Department spokesperson Collen Msibi.
Aircraft’s Suspicious Route
According to Flightradar24, the IL-76’s last known route included a lengthy stop in Iran, before travelling to South Africa via Dar es Salaam.
The aircraft was later seen at Lanseria Airport, where it appeared empty, having refuelled before departing.
The flight has sparked parallels to the infamous Lady R incident of 2022 – a diplomatic controversy that erupted after a US-sanctioned Russian vessel docked at a South African naval base, leading to accusations that South Africa was covertly supplying arms to Russia.
A subsequent inquiry found no conclusive evidence of weapons being exported.
Ongoing Tensions with the US
International relations analyst Dr Noluthando Phungula warned that the landing could draw sharp criticism from the Trump administration, which has already been vocal about Pretoria’s foreign alliances.
“This will anger US President Donald Trump. It mirrors the Lady R incident and comes at a time when South Africa is lobbying for the renewal of AGOA,” she said.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) – which provides duty-free access to US markets – expired at the end of September 2025 without a confirmed renewal.
South Africa has also been hit with 30% punitive tariffs imposed by Washington, further straining economic ties.
Phungula added that South Africa’s alignment with Russia, Iran, and China, along with its active role in the expanded BRICS bloc, is a clear indicator of the Global South’s push for multilateralism and a shift away from Western dominance.
“This is certainly an uncomfortable reality for the Trump administration,” she noted.
When asked whether the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) had been informed of the flight, spokesperson Chris Phiri declined to comment and referred all queries back to the Department of Transport.
Diplomatic Fallout Looms
The US has grown increasingly wary of South Africa’s foreign policy, including its neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, its engagement with Iran, and its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In August, Washington expressed “great concern” over a visit by South African military chief General Rudzani Maphwanya to Iran – a move the US viewed as deeply problematic.
As diplomatic tensions simmer, the arrival of a US-blacklisted aircraft on South African soil – with official government approval – may further complicate Pretoria’s efforts to reset or stabilise relations with Washington.
