Russian forces have closed border routes between Sudan and the Central African Republic following a deadly attack on a gold mine, witnesses said.
The incident occurred last Tuesday at the “Baba” mine inside Central African territory, near South Sudan and Sudan’s South Darfur state.
Local sources in Kafia Kingi, south of Nyala, reported that the assault left several miners dead and dozens injured.
Survivor Ayoub Mohamed Youssef said that thousands of miners fled towards Sudan on motorcycles, while others escaped on foot.
He said Russian forces sealed all exit roads, detained several miners, and transferred them to unknown locations.
Other miners reportedly hid in nearby forests, fearing arrest as helicopters and drones patrolled the area overhead.
Witnesses said Russian forces pursued fleeing miners using helicopters, drones, and gunfire, causing more than 50 serious injuries.
Some of the wounded crossed into Sudan for treatment, while others remain stranded en route to Nyala.
Residents said the direct road to Kafia Kingi spans 130 kilometres but is unsafe, forcing others onto harsher forest routes.
Sources linked the violence to earlier Russian warnings banning poaching, weapons, motorcycles, and certain clothing inside the mine.
The attack reportedly erupted after a miner captured a gazelle fitted with a Russian surveillance camera, triggering a violent military response.
