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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia actively transfers weapons to Africa: new Africa Corps replaces Wagner Group
Russia is increasing its military presence in West Africa by delivering tanks, artillery and advanced electronic warfare systems to regions where Africa Corps, a new Russian military formation, is gaining influence. Source: Associated Press Details: Journalists report that Russia is using cargo ships flying its flag to transport military equipment to West African ports. Notably, the Baltic Leader and the Patria, both under sanctions, unloaded at the port of Conakry in Guinea at the end of May. The equipment was then transported by land to Mali. The shipments include tanks, armoured personnel carriers, artillery systems (including 152 mm guns), electronic warfare systems, Spartak armoured vehicles and military infrastructure such as tanker trucks and boats marked in Russian. Satellite images also showed a Su-24 fighter jet at the airbase in Bamako. The Associated Press notes that, unlike military groups nominally subordinate to local armies, Africa Corps seems to have been granted autonomous aerial support. "We intend to expand our cooperation with African countries in all spheres, with an emphasis on economic cooperation and investments," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "This cooperation includes sensitive areas linked to defence and security." After the disbandment of the Wagner Group in 2023 and the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Kremlin established Africa Corps – a new structure that took over operations on the continent. The European Union has information that it is controlled by Unit 29155, a covert unit of Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU) known for sabotage and contract killings in Europe. Read more: Women no longer go out to work, fearing rape by Wagner mercenaries: how Russia is colonising Africa In December, the EU imposed sanctions on the commander of this unit, Major General Andrey Averyanov, for coordinating the Africa Corps' activities. "In many African countries, Russian forces provide security to military juntas that have overthrown legitimate democratic governments, gravely worsening the stability, security and democracy of the countries," the EU sanctions ruling said. Quote from Associated Press: "Researchers and military officials say the flow of weapons from Russia appears to be speeding Africa Corps' ascendancy over Wagner, helping it win over mercenaries that have remained loyal to the group. Africa Corps is also recruiting in Russia, offering payments of up to 2.1 million rubles (US$$26,500), and even plots of land, for signing a contract with the Ministry of Defence, plus more on deployment." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia ships weapons to Africa, violating sanctions, AP reports
Russia has been shipping weapons to conflict zones in West Africa in violation of international sanctions, the Associated Press (AP) reported on June 10, citing radio signals, satellite images, and military officials. The deliveries represent another sign of Russia's expanding military footprint in African nations. Russian-flagged cargo ships delivered howitzers, radio jammers, and other military equipment to a port in Guinea in late May after a month-long voyage from the Baltic Sea, the AP reported. Other ships made deliveries to the same port in January, carrying armored vehicles and tanks. Some of the vessels involved in the shipments, including Russia's Baltic Leader and Patria, are on Western sanctions lists. The weapons delivered to Guinea were then carried in trucks to neighboring Mali, European military officials told the AP. The outlet analyzed video footage from a Malian blogger to verify the report. Footage analyzed by the AP identified Russian-made 152 mm artillery guns, small cannons, and a BTR-80 armored troop carrier equipped with radio-jamming devices entering Mali. The delivery also included tanker trucks and semi-inflatable boats, one marked with a painted Russian flag. Read also: US warns 'serious consequences' over Russian naval base plans in Sudan According to military officials, most of the weapons were likely delivered not to the Malian Armed Forces but to Russia's "Africa Corps," a paramilitary group controlled by the Russian Defense Ministry. Russian mercenaries, including the notorious Wagner Group, have fought alongside Malian government forces since 2021, in attempts to fend off Islamic insurgents. The Wagner Group announced its withdrawal from Mali on June 6, but Africa Corps intends to maintain an active presence in the country. Satellite images from the Bamako air base indicate that Africa Corps also has at least one Su-24 bomber, the AP reported. Wagner forces in Mali have been sanctioned for alleged war crimes and widespread looting. In December 2024, Human Rights Watch accused Wagner mercenaries and Malian government forces of deliberately killing 32 civilians. Wagner mercenaries and Malian soldiers have also reportedly suffered heavy losses in their engagements with Tuareg-led rebels. After a short-lived rebellion against Moscow led by former Wagner Commander Yevgeny Prigozhin in June 2023, Russia sought to tighten its control over operations in Africa — the majority of which were led by Wagner forces. The influx of Russian weapons into Mali is likely accelerating Africa Corps' rise over Wagner in the region, officials and experts told the AP. The weaponry could also help prevent Russian forces in Africa from suffering the kinds of heavy losses incurred last summer. Read also: In African universities, Russia's war against Ukraine finds new supporters We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Sky News
05-03-2025
- Sky News
Royal Navy 'watched every move' of Russian warship as it sailed close to UK waters
The Royal Navy has shadowed a Russian warship as it sailed in waters close to the UK. HMS Somerset "watched every move" made by the corvette Boikiy as it escorted the merchant vessel Baltic Leader through the English Channel and North Sea. Baltic Leader's journey had begun in Syria, with the cargo ship transporting military hardware from a Russian naval base in the city of Tartus. The three-day operation made use of the British Type 23 frigate's powerful sensors and radars - with a Merlin helicopter deployed to gather intelligence from the sky. Shadowing missions are designed to monitor any potential threats to national security, including to critical infrastructure such as undersea pipelines. Commander Joel Roberts, commanding officer of HMS Somerset, said: "Somerset is well versed in the escort of Russian ships, having conducted these operations on a number of occasions. "Great professionalism has been shown by the ship's company to remain vigilant whilst operating in UK waters and integrating with our NATO allies to monitor Russian activity around Europe." 0:44 Photographs published by The Times on Tuesday showed sailors on the Boikiy manning machine guns and burning papers. The Plymouth-based warship helped track Yantar, a suspected Russian spy vessel, back in January. It comes two weeks after HMS Iron Duke, HMS Tyne and RFA Tideforce monitored five ships - including three merchant vessels - as they sailed for a Russian Baltic port from Syria.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Russian warship shadowed by Royal Navy through Channel and North Sea
A Royal Navy warship has shadowed a Russian task group sailing through the English Channel and the North Sea. HMS Somerset kept watch over the Russian corvette Boikiy for three days as it escorted Baltic Leader, a merchant vessel, on its voyage from the Russian naval base in Tartus, Syria. The cargo ship was transporting military hardware, while crew on the accompanying warship were seen burning papers and manning the ship's machine guns, the Times reported. A Royal Navy spokesman said: 'The British Type 23 frigate utilised its powerful sensors and radars to report on Russian movements, launching her Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron to gather valuable information from the sky. 'The ship worked hand in hand with UK patrol aircraft and allied Nato forces during the operation, providing constant watch on the task group.' The spokesman said the operation began on March 1 as the Russian warship headed south through the North Sea and English Channel to meet Baltic Leader and escort the vessel back to Russia. HMS Somerset then shadowed the Boikiy for the return journey after the vessel met Baltic Leader at Ushant, an island near France. Commander Joel Roberts, commanding officer of HMS Somerset, said: 'Somerset is well versed in the escort of Russian ships, having conducted these operations on a number of occasions. 'Great professionalism has been shown by the ship's company to remain vigilant whilst operating in UK waters and integrating with our Nato allies to monitor Russian activity around Europe.' The Plymouth-based warship was previously deployed alongside patrol ship HMS Tyne to track suspected Russian spy vessel Yantar in January. The operation comes two weeks after HMS Iron Duke, HMS Tyne and RFA Tideforce monitored five ships, including three merchant vessels, as they sailed for a Russian Baltic port from Syria. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
05-03-2025
- Telegraph
Russian warship tracked by Royal Navy through English Channel and North Sea waters
A Royal Navy warship has shadowed a Russian task group sailing through the English Channel and the North Sea. HMS Somerset kept watch over the Russian corvette Boikiy for three days as it escorted Baltic Leader, a merchant vessel, on its voyage from the Russian naval base in Tartus, Syria. The cargo ship was transporting military hardware, while crew on the accompanying warship were seen burning papers and manning the ship's machine guns, the Times reported. A Royal Navy spokesman said: 'The British Type 23 frigate utilised its powerful sensors and radars to report on Russian movements, launching her Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron to gather valuable information from the sky. 'The ship worked hand in hand with UK patrol aircraft and allied Nato forces during the operation, providing constant watch on the task group.' The spokesman said the operation began on March 1 as the Russian warship headed south through the North Sea and English Channel to meet Baltic Leader and escort the vessel back to Russia. HMS Somerset then shadowed the Boikiy for the return journey after the vessel met Baltic Leader at Ushant, an island near France. 'Great professionalism' Commander Joel Roberts, commanding officer of HMS Somerset, said: 'Somerset is well versed in the escort of Russian ships, having conducted these operations on a number of occasions. 'Great professionalism has been shown by the ship's company to remain vigilant whilst operating in UK waters and integrating with our Nato allies to monitor Russian activity around Europe.' The Plymouth-based warship was previously deployed alongside patrol ship HMS Tyne to track suspected Russian spy vessel Yantar in January. The operation comes two weeks after HMS Iron Duke, HMS Tyne and RFA Tideforce monitored five ships, including three merchant vessels, as they sailed for a Russian Baltic port from Syria.
