More Russian mercenaries spotted in Mozambique

A second group of Russian mercenaries has been spotted arriving in Mozambique, according to online publication Carta de Mocambique. 

The mercenaries are reportedly there to help fight Islamist militants who have been carrying out attacks in the north of the country, close to where large gas deposits are located.

Reports indicate that the soldiers are part of the Wagner Group, an elite paramilitary organisation set up by Yevgeny Prigozhin, an ally of President Putin. The group is believed to have taken part in a number of operations in the Syrian Civil War and the Crimean Crisis. 

The Russian foreign ministry have denied recent reports that at least five mercenaries were killed during an ambush in Mozambique last October. Neither Moscow nor Maputo have confirmed the presence of any Russian mercenaries. 

Russia has been seeking to boost its influence in Africa for some time now and already has a military presence in Libya and the Centra African Republic.

Photo: AFP