Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group have left Burkina Faso to defend the Russian city of Kursk, which is under attack from Ukrainian forces, according to their commander, Viktor Ermolaev.
Ermolaev, who leads the 'Bears' brigade, confirmed that around 100 of the 300 mercenaries initially deployed in Burkina Faso have returned to Russia. He stated, 'We saw that [the Ukrainians] chose war,' emphasizing the honor of defending their homeland.
Recent reports indicate that the Russian military was caught off guard by a Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
Ermolaev noted that while some mercenaries have returned to Russia, others remain in Burkina Faso to maintain security for the country's military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, who has aligned closely with Moscow since a coup in 2022.
Burkina Faso is currently facing attacks from jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, with the situation on the ground described as dire. A recent assault claimed by an al-Qaeda affiliate resulted in hundreds of casualties, although official figures from the Burkinabe authorities have not been released.
This development underscores the ongoing complexities of the conflict in the region and the shifting dynamics of international military involvement.