Update: At Last, Russia Admit Ownership Of Detained Arms-Laden Plane, But Says Military Hardware On Board Belong To France

Less than 24 hours after denying that the cargo plane detained by Nigeria Ariforce in Kano has liked with its country, the Russian government has now admitted that it is indeed Russian.

It however said the military hardware aboard the plane belongs to France.

The Eastern Europe country had said through its embassy in Nigeria on Saturday night that the plane wasn’t Russian and that it had no link with that country.

“According to the information of the Embassy, the detained in Kano plane, allegedly carrying military hardware on board, is not Russian,” the Russia Embassy had tweeted via its handle @RusEmbNigeria

But in a fresh tweets on Sunday afternoon, the embassy said the plane is indeed a Russian one hired by the French government to convey military hardware for its peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic.

The statement said, “Military equipment on board aircraft in Kano enroute CAR (Central African Republic) via Chad, allegedly owned by the French peacekeeping mission.

“The detained in Kano Russian plane chartered by the French peacekeeping mission in Chad and transporting its property.

“The Embassy is taking all measures to ensure the departure of the detained in Kano Russian plane with the French military equipment on board.”