Russia deploys African corps in intensified attack on Vovchansk

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

Since May 10, there has been an intensification of Russian military activities in the northeast of Ukraine. This offensive poses a severe threat to the region's stability.

The British intelligence services provided information about the African Corps in their daily report. Formed in December 2023, it operates directly under the Russian Ministry of Defense. It consists of over 2,000 soldiers and officers, including 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 MOD 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 Defense of the Russian Federation consists of over 2,000 soldiers, officers from regular units, and experienced mercenaries, many of whom previously served in the Wagner Group. Reports indicate that the African Corps units were likely previously deployed in Syria, Libya, Burkina Faso, and Niger.