The United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has confirmed that the Russian pilot, that was reported missing following an incident earlier this week, has safely returned to UNAMID's base in Nyala, South Darfur. In its press release, UNAMID said that the Sudanese authorities handed over the pilot Thursday near Ka'as area,  north of Nyala.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Sudan Armed Forces, Al-Suwarmi Khalid Sa'ad, said that a security team and locals identified the Russian pilot near Tabeldia village, south Darfur where he was held under detention and later released.

Earlier, Al-Suwarmi said that the aircraft had to land due to technical dysfunction.