The Russian naval base Flamingo, under construction in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, has been the target of a drone attack allegedly carried out by rebels from the Rapid Reaction Force (RSF), the Rybar Telegram channel reported on May 13, 2025, citing satellite images. The attacks, which began in early May, hit key infrastructure facilities in the city, including fuel storage facilities, power plants, and an airport. Researcher Rich Tedd published satellite images confirming the destruction of several buildings on the base. An analysis of Sentinel satellite images by experts revealed visible damage to Flamingo facilities, indicating the severity of the strike.

Negotiations on the establishment of a Russian logistics point (LMPO) in Port Sudan began in 2017. In 2019, Moscow and Khartoum signed an agreement providing for the construction of a base to accommodate up to four Russian ships and up to 300 troops. The document also allowed Russia to bring weapons, equipment, ammunition, air defense systems and electronic warfare systems to the base. The agreement was valid for 25 years with the possibility of a 10-year extension. However, due to the outbreak of the civil war in Sudan between the army (SAF) and the RSF in 2023, the agreement was not ratified. In February 2025, the Sudanese army regained control of the capital, the international airport, the presidential palace and key military facilities, defeating the RSF. Following this, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Sadiq Ali confirmed the agreement with Russia on the construction of the base, which, according to Reuters, was an important step in strengthening Russian-Sudanese relations.

The attacks on Port Sudan, including the Flamingo base, began on May 8, when RSF drones struck strategic targets including oil storage facilities, triggering a fuel crisis in several Sudanese states. According to Rich Tedd, the strikes caused significant losses to the Sudanese army at the Port Sudan airfield, and one of the Flamingo hangars was destroyed. These events highlight the vulnerability of Russian projects in the region amid the ongoing civil war, which has killed more than 20 people since April 2023, according to the UN.