Moscow: The Russian private military company Bear Brigade has announced it is withdrawing 100 paramilitary officers from Burkina Faso to bolster its operations in Ukraine. According to a statement on its Telegram channel, the company’s forces will return to support Russia’s defense against Ukraine’s recent offensive in the Kursk region.
In May, nearly 300 soldiers from the Bear Brigade were deployed to Burkina Faso to assist the country’s military junta. The recent withdrawal of 100 soldiers raises concerns about the potential for increased activity by Islamist insurgents, especially in the wake of a recent attack that claimed up to 300 lives—one of the most severe assaults in recent years.
Earlier this year, Russian military personnel were deployed in Burkina Faso, marking one of the first major Russian troop deployments to the West African nation, as reported by two foreign security sources on Thursday.
The junta-led government’s relationship with Moscow has garnered attention since it expelled French troops in early 2023, leading to speculation about deepening security ties with Russia, similar to the situation in neighboring Mali, where Russian Wagner mercenaries are active.
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The expanding Russian security presence in Africa, including countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—where military leaders have seized power through coups—has raised concerns among the U.S. and other Western governments.
Burkina Faso has experienced two coups in a span of just ten months. The most recent coup last year led to the expulsion of French forces and a turn towards Russia for security support. Despite these efforts, the junta has struggled to manage the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis.
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According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, Burkina Faso has been identified as one of the world’s most neglected crises for the second consecutive year. The aid organization reported that a record 6.3 million out of 20 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2024, with many on the verge of starvation. Additionally, around two million people remain internally displaced, approximately 60% of whom are children. The situation has left many traumatized, with resources to support them in short supply.
