Russian Troops Active in Six African Countries: State TV Report

Russia’s state television channel RT has reported that Russian military forces are operating in six African countries. This marks a rare acknowledgement regarding Moscow’s military presence in Africa.

After the attack on Ukraine, Moscow became increasingly isolated from Western nations. Since then, it has sought to build new partnerships across Africa, where Russia has expanded its political, economic, and military influence in recent years.

In a report broadcast on Sunday, a correspondent of RT stated that officers and soldiers from various units of the Russian armed forces are already operating in six African nations. Although Mali was mentioned, the report did not specify the names of the other countries.

However, it is known that Russian troops or military instructors have also been deployed in Burkina Faso, Niger, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and Libya.

Diplomatic sources in Africa’s Sahel region told the media last June that the Africa Corps unit of the Russian Defence Ministry has taken over the role previously held by the Wagner paramilitary group across the continent.

In August 2023, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a mysterious plane crash. Before that, he had staged a short-lived rebellion against Moscow.

Wagner fighters participated in the war in Ukraine and were deployed in different regions of Africa.

The state television report identified Africa Corps as a component of the Russian Defence Ministry. It noted that most of the deployed troops are experienced fighters from the special military operation. Source: Al-Arabiya, European Conservative