MOSCOW, (Sputnik) – Two Russians abducted last week in Sudan's Darfur province are unharmed but there are still no demands from their kidnappers, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
“The identities of both Russians have been established. According to the information that we have, they suffered no harm in the incident. Demands of their abductors are being established,” the statement reads.
The Sudanese authorities have set up a crisis management team, comprising security services, military prosecutors and local officials to ensure the release of the Russians.
Two Russian pilots working for UTair airlines contracted by the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) were kidnapped January 29. The kidnapping has been confirmed by both the Russian Embassy in Sudan and UTair.
Sudanese government forces and several rebel groups have been fighting in western Sudan's Darfur region since 2003. Violence, including armed robberies, home invasions and kidnappings have remained high in the province.
