Russian state television channels have reported that the Russian army is present in six African countries, Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
After its isolation from the West over the war in Ukraine, Moscow is developing new partnerships in Africa, where its political, economic and military influence has been growing in recent years, AFP notes.
“Officers and soldiers of the Russian armed forces are already operating in six African countries“, said a correspondent for Russian state television “Russia 1“ in a report broadcast yesterday. The specific countries were not specified, except for Mali, where the report was filmed.
Another report from the French version of the channel “RT“ mentioned several African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Equatorial Guinea. The channel, created after the banning of RT in the EU, focuses on a French-speaking African audience.
“The military personnel of the defense ministry, and in particular the African Corps, protect Russia's interests always and everywhere,” a Russian soldier told the camera.
Reports of the presence of Russian military personnel and instructors in Burkina Faso, Niger, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic and Libya have been circulating for some time. The African Corps of the defense ministry has partially replaced the mercenary group “Wagner“ on the continent, AFP reported, citing diplomatic sources in the Sahel.
A soldier wearing a mask is seen next to a flag resembling that of “Wagner” in footage from Russian state television. According to the media, all the deployed soldiers are veterans of the offensive of Moscow in Ukraine.
Other footage shows two Russian bombers, military equipment including helicopters and armored personnel carriers. Moscow says forces affiliated with the Defense Ministry are assisting several African governments in the fight against jihadist movements.