Moscow has been pursuing a combination of military, diplomatic, and economic interests in Africa, vying with the West for influence after Russia's war in Ukraine triggered the biggest confrontation between Moscow and Washington in decades.

After Putin's landslide win in Russia's presidential election in March, some newspapers in Africa saw Putin's re-election as reinforcing the stance of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Burkina Faso, under military leadership since a 2022 coup, has played host to contingents of the Wagner mercenary force, whose founder Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash in 2024.

In June, Russia said it sent additional military supplies and instructors to Burkina Faso to help the West African country boost its defence capabilities and fight terrorism.

--Reuters--