Russian ‘Bear Brigade’ troops exit Burkina Faso due to Ukraine’s Kursk incursion

The Russian private military company Bear Brigade has confirmed earlier reports by the French daily Le Monde that it had departed from Burkina Faso after arriving in the country in May.
The 100-strong Bear Brigade, with links to Russia’s Defense Ministry, is withdrawing its fighters from the conflict-torn West African country due to Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region, Le Monde reported on Thursday (29 August). Formed in Russian-occupied Crimea in March 2023, the military unit arrived in Burkina Faso in May to support the junta of Captain Ibrahim Traore, who came to power in a coup in September 2022. Experts said the military unit was among an estimated 300 Russian security operatives deployed in the Sahel country, which includes members of Russian military intelligence (GRU). On Tuesday (27 August), the Bears Brigade posted a note in its Telegram that the unit is returning to its base in Russian-occupied Crimea “in connection with recent events.”
According to the Africa Defense Forum (ADF), the Bear Brigade was the latest armed Russian group deployed to the Sahel in response to ongoing rebellions in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. About 30 of its members members were deployed in Ouagadougou and two nearby military bases. They were tasked with the training of forces loyal to junta leader Captain Traoré and enhancing his personal security apparatus after an alleged countercoup attempt in September 2023. Experts say Traoré is an example of coup leaders using Russian fighters to protect themselves rather than fighting rebels.