Military instructors and personnel from Russia’s defense ministry arrived in Niger on Wednesday, Niger state television RTN said, in a further sign the West African country is building closer relations with Moscow like its junta-led neighbors.
In a Thursday broadcast, RTN showed footage of a military cargo plane unloading gear as people in fatigues stood by. It said the deployment followed a recent agreement between Niger’s junta and Russian President Vladimir Putin to boost cooperation.
The report says that Russian military specialists arrived in the country on April 10, "delivering latest-generation weapons to Niamey." According to the report, they are expected to deploy air defense systems in the country. Moreover, they will train the Nigerien military.
On December 4, 2023, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Col. Gen. Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Minister of National Defense of Niger Salifou Modi signed a document on mutual understanding, aimed at boosting defense cooperation.
In late July 2023, a group of military rebels in Niger announced the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum. The mutineers then established the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (known by its French abbreviation CNSP, for Conseil national pour la sauvegarde de la patrie), headed by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, to run the country.
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