The Kremlin has reportedly established its own mercenary group for operations in Africa, taking advantage of the void left by the demise of the Wagner group, which operated extensively on the continent.
The newly formed group is named the Africa Corps and is expected to recruit 20,000 men for operations primarily in the Sahel region on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert.
The Wagner Group, previously led by Yevheny Prighozin, had engaged in security operations across the continent, often receiving stakes in mines and natural resource contracts as payment.
Putin Establishes a Fresh Mercenary Unit Sharing Its Name with Nazi Forces (Credits: Times)
Bloomberg sources revealed that the Russian government, under Vladimir Putin, is behind the formation of this mercenary group, seeking to capitalize on the opportunities in Africa. The Africa Corps shares its name with the Nazi forces that fought in North Africa during the Second World War.
In other news, Ukrainian President Zelensky reiterated the need for an “air shield” to protect the country from missile and drone attacks, citing over 330 missiles and approximately 600 combat drones launched by Russia at Ukrainian cities since the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, the European Commission welcomed the decision to send Ukraine profits generated by Russian assets frozen in Europe since the start of the war. This move is expected to provide financial support to Ukraine from 2023 to 2027.
Russia has shown no willingness to return the bodies of Ukrainian prisoners of war who died in a military plane crash in the Belgorod region last week. The situation remains tense, with ongoing conflicts and geopolitical developments in the region.
