Russia deploys African corps in intensified offensive on Vovchansk

In the past week, Russia decided to deploy additional forces in the offensive on Vovchansk, a city located north of Kharkiv. On Friday, the British Ministry of Defence reported that alongside regular army units and Storm-Z units, units from the African Corps also participated in warfare.

Since 10 May, there has been an intensification of warfare by Russia in the northeast of Ukraine. The Russian offensive poses a severe threat to the region's stability.

In their daily report, the British intelligence services provided information about the African Corps. It was formed in December 2023 under the Russian Ministry of Defence. It consists of over 2,000 soldiers, officers, and experienced mercenaries, many of whom previously served in the Wagner Group. Additionally, it was noted that the African Corps units were likely previously deployed in countries such as Syria, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

"The Russian Ministry of Defence almost certainly redeployed detachments from the Africa Corps to the Ukrainian border during April 2024 in preparation for this offensive. It is highly likely that Russia is reinforcing its war on Ukraine with resources previously assigned to Africa," the report reads.

Formed in December 2023, the "African Corps" of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation consists of over two thousand soldiers and officers of regular units, as well as experienced mercenaries, many of whom previously served in the Wagner Group. A review indicates that the "African Corps" units were most likely previously deployed in Syria, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Niger.