After Wagner Group’s collapse in mid 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently launched a new Africa Corps, with 100 military staff officially deployed to Burkina Faso, with the aim to continue serving Russia’s interests on the continent — unofficially. According to a Telegram post, these soldiers are supposed to help protect junta leader Ibrahim Traore as well as the general public from terrorist attacks. This latest move by the Kremlin is clearly also designed to show off Russia’s influence on the continent, particularly in West Africa. “Putin is very interested in Africa, especially West Africa,” says Filatova, stressing that this makes Russia new partner of choice for the junta leaders in the region. But in practical terms, Russia also hopes to establish the Africa Corps as an instrument of foreign affairs, she noted.
