Russia expands military presence in Africa, dodging sanctions – AP

Using satellite images and radio signals, the agency tracked a convoy of Russian-flagged cargo ships that made a nearly month-long trip from the Baltic Sea, Associated Press reported the information.

According to European military officials who closely followed the journey, the ships were carrying howitzers, radio jamming systems, and other military gear.

Journalists note that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have been fighting al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked militants for over a decade. While these countries initially worked with Kremlin-affiliated mercenary groups, Russia is now increasingly deploying its own troops and intelligence services directly into Africa.

In particular, satellite images show that the Russian-sanctioned ships Baltic Leader and Patria docked and unloaded in Conakry, Guinea, in late May.

Other ships made similar deliveries to the same port back in January. They brought tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment, which were then trucked into neighboring Mali, according to AP sources among European military officials.

After the latest unloading in Conakry, trucks carrying Russian-made weapons were once again spotted heading overland to Mali.

Analysis of video and photos posted by a Malian blogger at the same site as the January delivery showed a variety of Russian-made equipment, including 152mm guns and other artillery.

The shipment also included at least two small boats — one with a Russian flag painted on the hull — and tanker trucks, some with Russian writing on the sides.

Officials who spoke to AP said they believe the heaviest weapons, including artillery and jamming gear, were allocated to Russia’s Africa Corps, not the Malian army. The corps also likely received air support, as satellite images recently spotted at least one Su-24 jet at Bamako airbase.

After the Wagner Group mutiny in Russia in 2023 and the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin two months later in a suspicious plane crash, Moscow took direct control of units in Africa, including through the Africa Corps. According to the EU, the corps is led by the commander of Unit 29155 — one of the most infamous divisions of Russia’s military intelligence. Unit 29155 has long been accused of covert operations in the West, including sabotage and assassinations.

Researchers and military officials say the steady flow of Russian weapons is likely boosting the Africa Corps’ influence over the Wagner Group, helping it attract mercenaries who remain loyal to Wagner. The corps is also recruiting inside Russia, offering payments of up to $26,500 and even land in exchange for contracts with the Defense Ministry.

• In addition, earlier reports said Russia has sharply increased Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) activity in Africa. Over the past three years, ROC parishes have opened in 30 African countries, half of them in 2022 alone.