Russian Fighters Helped Niger Repel Mutiny as Paris Faces Blame

Renegade soldiers struck Niamey's airport and presidential palace on August 29 before Niger's army, aided by Russian paramilitaries known as the Africa Corps, contained the revolt. Niger then accused France of orchestrating it — a claim Paris called "pure fantasy." The episode reveals how Russian actors now anchor Niger's security after France's 1,500 troops withdrew post-2023 coup.