Russian "African Corps" helped local junta suppress attempted military coup in Niger
Niger's army, supported by Russia's "African Corps," suppressed an attempted military rebellion and regained control of important airbase No. 101 in the capital Niamey, The Moscow News reports .
On the night of August 29, shots and explosions were heard near the international airport in the capital for several hours. About a hundred rebels took soldiers hostage at the base and opened fire on strategic targets. State television and radio broadcasting also ceased for several hours.
The Presidential Guard, which supports the head of the military junta, Abdourahamane Tchiani, with the help of the Russian "African Corps," managed to repel the attack and restore control over the base.
According to three Reuters sources, Russian military personnel played a key role in the operation. One source claims they used strike drones, killing several rebels. Another reported that the rebels surrendered after the drone strikes.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed the participation of its military personnel in suppressing the mutiny and declared "solidarity with the people of Niger." Algeria also provided assistance to the country's government by sending four fighter jets.
The coup attempt was a serious test for Tchiani, who himself came to power in a military coup in July 2023. After this, Niger gradually abandoned military cooperation with Western countries and placed its bets on Russia. French troops left the country at the end of 2023, American troops in the fall of 2024, and in 2025, Niger closed the German military base.
Now, airbase No. 101 in Niamey houses the headquarters of the Russian "African Corps," as well as the headquarters of the combined forces of the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso — all now ruled by pro-Russian juntas.
Niger has significant natural resources: the country is among the world's largest uranium producers and also exports oil and gold. In 2025, local authorities nationalized the SOMAÏR joint venture with the French company Orano.
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