Russia is pulling out 100 of its paramilitary officers from Burkina Faso to bolster its efforts in the ongoing war in Ukraine. These soldiers are part of the Bear Brigade, a Russian private military company that deployed around 300 troops to the West African nation in May to support the military junta.
The group announced via its Telegram channel that its forces would be returning home to reinforce Russia’s defenses against Ukraine’s recent offensive in the Kursk region. This withdrawal has sparked concerns that it could embolden Islamist insurgents in Burkina Faso, who recently carried out one of the deadliest attacks in years, killing up to 300 people.
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has faced relentless jihadist attacks, leading to the displacement of over two million people, in what aid organizations describe as the world’s “most neglected” crisis. The current military government, led by interim President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who came to power after a coup in September 2022, has struggled to contain the violence, even after seeking new security partnerships with Russia.
With nearly half of the country beyond government control, jihadist groups have intensified their assaults on both civilians and military forces. Survivors reported that up to 300 people were killed in the northern town of Barsalogho on Saturday, in an attack claimed by Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated group. The victims, including civilians and military personnel, were reportedly helping to dig trenches to defend the town against jihadist attacks.
The Bear Brigade, responsible for guarding senior Burkinabè officials, including Captain Traoré, is set to pull out 100 members of its specialized unit, just three months after their arrival. Their sudden departure is linked to the recent Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk region. “When the enemy arrives on our Russian territory, all Russian soldiers forget about internal problems and unite against a common enemy,” said Viktor Yermolaev, the commander of the Bear Brigade, in an interview with France’s Le Monde newspaper.
On Tuesday, the group posted on its Telegram channel that the unit was returning to its base in Russian-occupied Crimea “in connection with recent events.” The withdrawal raises questions about how the Burkina Faso junta plans to compensate for the loss of military support as it continues to battle Islamist insurgents.
Burkina Faso, along with its neighbors Mali and Niger, is engaged in a fierce struggle against various Islamist groups operating in the semi-arid Sahel region. The military has seized power in all three countries, forming the Alliance of Sahel States and cutting ties with former colonial power France in favor of Russian support, including weapons and mercenaries from the Wagner Group, now known as the Africa Corps. However, despite these efforts, armed groups have escalated their attacks, particularly in Burkina Faso, where the situation remains dire.
