Russian troops arrive in Niger as military agreement begins - BBC News

The West African country is increasingly turning to Moscow for support after breaking ties with the West.

23 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsSahel Islamist insurgencyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Niger is among the countries in the Sahel region to have strengthened military ties with RussiaBy Chris Ewokor in Abuja & Kathryn Armstrong in LondonBBC NewsDozens of Russian military instructors have arrived in Niger as part of a new agreement with the country's junta, which has cut links with the West.

State media reported that they arrived along with a state-of-the-art air defence system.

They are expected to install the system and teach Niger's army how to use it.

The West African country is one several in the Sahel region ruled by military authorities to have recently strengthened ties with Russia.

A spokesperson for Niger's military government on Friday said the Russians were in the country to train soldiers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68796359

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