Why did South Africa permit a US-sanctioned Russian plane to land?

South Africa’s decision to permit a US-sanctioned Russian cargo plane operated by Abakan Air to land on its soil has reignited tensions between Pretoria and Washington.

The plane, which arrived at Upington Airport in the Northern Cape province before refueling near Johannesburg, carried heavy cargo before departing empty.

South Africa’s Department of Transport confirmed that it issued a foreign operator’s permit to Abakan Air in late September, asserting the government had not blacklisted the airline despite US sanctions.

Abakan Air was sanctioned by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in June 2024 for its role in transporting Russian military equipment linked to the conflict in Ukraine.

The airline is also noted for aviation service debts. Pretoria’s permit issuance, without consulting the US government, has raised serious diplomatic concerns amid already strained bilateral relations.

What permissions did South Africa grant the Russian plane?

South Africa’s Department of Transport revealed that it issued a permit authorizing Abakan Air to transport "general cargo, civilian helicopters, and acrobatic aircraft."

The company operated a flight route from Iran and Tanzania that culminated in landing at Upington Airport. Officials stressed that South Africa had no knowledge of the airline’s sanctioned status and that no South African blacklist included Abakan Air.

Did you know?
The sanctioned Russian cargo airline Abakan Air has been on the US Treasury's Specially Designated Nationals list since June 2024.

Why is the Russian cargo plane sanctioned by the US?

The US Treasury blacklisted Abakan Air for supporting Russia’s military logistics, sending equipment potentially used in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The airline’s activities are deemed to be contrary to U.S. national security interests and foreign policy goals.

The sanctions prohibit US persons and entities from dealing with Abakan Air and aim to restrict Russia’s military supply chain.

How does this landing affect US-South Africa relations?

The incident exacerbates politically sensitive tensions between the US and South Africa, which have been deteriorating under the Trump administration.

Trump imposed tariffs on South African exports and froze aid, citing disputed claims about farm violence in the country.

The landing echoes a previous controversy in 2022, involving a sanctioned Russian cargo ship that docked at a South African naval base, which sparked accusations of arms transfers.

US lawmakers are now considering measures to review and potentially restrict trade and cooperation with South Africa, citing concerns about Pretoria’s support for US adversaries.

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What historical precedents exist for such diplomatic incidents?

South Africa’s allowance of the Russian plane recalls the 2022 Lady R incident when a sanctioned Russian vessel docked at Simon’s Town Naval Base.

That event drew sharp US condemnation and judicial inquiries, though no evidence of weapon transfers was found.

Such precedents underscore the diplomatic sensitivities involved when sanction regimes intersect with sovereign national decisions.

What is the broader impact on trade and political ties?

The allowance of Abakan Air’s landing complicates the expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on September 30, 2025, which previously facilitated preferential trade terms between the US and African nations, including South Africa.

While Trump’s administration supported a one-year extension of AGOA, strained relations could hinder future trade agreements and cooperation.

The incident highlights the importance of diplomatic dialogue in managing conflicting national interests, while striking a balance between sanction enforcement and regional geopolitical realities.