Russia Deploys African Corps: How Putin is Waging War in Deserts and Why it Threatens Ukraine.

According to The Sun: Thousands of miles from the bloody front in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin is waging a brutal war in the desert.

In large lawless regions plagued by coups, terrorism, and insurgencies, the Russian leader is attempting to expand his influence in Africa by forming a shadow army from the remnants of previous conflicts.

Wagner fighters in a new promotional video recruiting new members in Africa AP AP AFP

From Mali to the Central African Republic and across the Sahel, Russia has transformed its infamous Wagner Group into a new paramilitary force known as the African Corps.

With its personnel on the ground, war-torn territories are becoming ideal grounds for Putin to strengthen his allies.

However, it is believed he is also using dark operations as a strategic 'conveyor' to prepare Russian troops for combat in Ukraine.

With roughly 40 defense agreements signed, military operations in resource-rich regions help sustain Russia's economy, which is suffering from the war.

Ukraine has taken note of this growing threat and is attempting to counter it far from the front line on its eastern flank.

For years, the infamous Wagner Group has been utilized by the Kremlin as a proxy to fight rebels and armed groups in brutal military operations.

But their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a former ally of Putin, died in a plane crash in 2023 after a failed coup.

As Kremlin control tightened, Wagner transitioned into the African Corps, which aims to bolster military leaders, extract resources, and undermine Western influence.

Candis Rondea, senior director of the Future Frontlines program at New America, warned that the African Corps has 'expanded its borders.'

From the shadows, Russia is now 'not engaging openly enough' with an increasing number of countries.

Mercenaries have strong footholds in the Sahel, the Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, as well as an 'interest' in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, she explained.

Rondea added: 'The African Corps is in many ways the same as the Wagner Group.'

'The big difference is that now it is under official control, [which] is a little tighter.

'When you sign a contract, you usually sign an agreement with the Ministry of Defense, rather than with some random company linked to Wagner.

'There are still some commanders closely tied to the Wagner group model that remain at the head of the African Corps units.'

East2West From the shadows, experts say that Russia 'is not engaging openly enough' with an increasing number of countries Telegram

As violence continues, Rondea cites an example that Russia has a 'perpetual market.'

However, there are concerns that local leaders have become 'paralyzed by Russian power.'

Rondea said: 'This has led to a split between countries... and there is great anxiety that when Russian forces enter, coups soon follow.

'There was strong resistance to any expansion.

'But as long as the war in Ukraine continues, there will always be a need for an exchange mechanism between Africa and Ukraine in terms of experienced forces needed by Russia.'

Proxy War in Ukraine

However, Russia is not alone on the new fronts of war on another continent.

In July of last year, clashes occurred between Tuareg insurgent forces in Mali and the African Corps, resulting in significant losses for Russian forces, Rondea noted.

'At that moment, there were rumors of support from Ukraine,' she added.

There were suggestions that Ukrainian intelligence agencies were 'training Tuareg forces to use Starlink for communication and coordinating drone operations.'

'The problem is that we have no evidence of this,' Rondea pointed out.

'Shortly after this incident – following rumors that Ukraine might help Tuareg insurgents – relations between Mali and Ukraine cooled.

'Burkina Faso, which is also part of the Sahel alliance, as well as Niger, decided to sever relations with Ukraine.'

Former Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a plane crash north of Moscow AP AP AP

Rondea noted that Ukraine is attempting to leverage Russia's 'rather shaky relations' in various parts of the world to disrupt supply chains that 'lead to cash flow to Moscow and the Kremlin.'

If Ukrainians are backing anti-Russian forces in the Sahel, 'this undoubtedly indicates escalation,' Rondea said.

'This would be a classic example of a proxy. You have an armed group operating outside the constitutional chain of command in that territory.

'This could be a situation where Ukrainians are carefully observing and quickly spending a little resources to gain influence.'

Despite Russia generally entering into 'extractive agreements' in exchange for 'security services' in these African countries, it is increasingly demanding cash, Rondea explained.

Rondea emphasized: 'There are many indicators that the Russian economy is facing difficulties.'

'This may be one reason why in Russian agreements with clients in Africa, Russia is now seeking cash rather than just raw materials.'

In the Central African Republic, Russian 'instructors' are now considered 'very important providers of security and stability.'

Here is who the African Corps is

The African Corps, also known as the “Russian Expeditionary Corps” (REK) – is a mixture of mercenaries and soldiers operating as a private army of the Kremlin.

First established in 2023, this corps emerged in response to unrest and the death of Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The Wagner Group conducted a significant part of Putin’s shadow operations worldwide, including in Africa.

However, after Prigozhin grew in popularity and influence, Putin decided to bring his mercenaries under control.

Now they operate under the direct control of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Although they are called the “African Corps,” they are also involved in fighting in Ukraine.