In its latest “great power” play in North Africa, the U.S. Pentagon’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) says Russia has sent at least 14 jet combat aircraft, including MiG-29 Fulcrums, and Su-24 Fencers to oil-rich Libya in past week. As reported by Global Security, AFRICOM believes these aircraft – flown by Russian pilots – will support Russia’s Wagner Group ‘mercenaries’ on behalf of strongman Khalifa Haftar against Libya’s U.N.-recognized government.
SEE ALSO: Russia’s Mercenary ‘Wagner Group’ Secretly Fights for Putin
As I wrote earlier, a UN report in early May confirmed the Wagner Group’s presence in Libya, noting they were acting as artillery and air observers, as well as “providing electronic countermeasures expertise and deploying as sniper teams”. The UN report also included details such as the deployment of snipers and other specialized combat units.
Moscow steadfastly denies it uses private military contractors (PMCs) in conflicts abroad, claiming these mercenary groups do not represent the Russian government. However, most observers understand Wagner is an instrument of Russian military intelligence (GRU) and the Ministry of Defense.
It is also clear this latest aircraft deployment is part of Russia’s expanding ‘hybrid warfare’ footprint in Africa using its ostensibly “private” PMC – Wagner Group – to do much of the Kremlin’s bidding.
In this case, according to AFRICOM, Russia is disguising their aircraft to allow them plausible deniability and maintain the charade that they are not Russian military. As U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend, AFRICOM commander stated, according to Global Security:
Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favor in Libya. Just like I saw them doing in Syria, they are expanding their military footprint in Africa using government-supported mercenary groups like Wagner. For too long, Russia has denied the full extent of its involvement in the ongoing Libyan conflict. Well, there is no denying it now. We watched as Russia flew fourth generation jet fighters to Libya — every step of the way. Neither the LNA nor private military companies can arm, operate and sustain these fighters without state support — support they are getting from Russia.
As noted by The Drive, AFRICOM tweeted additional details describing the shadowy movement of these Russian military aircraft to Libya:
Over multiple days in May, Russian MiG 29s and SU-24 fighters departed Russia. At that time, all the aircraft have Russian Federation Air Force markings,” one of the Tweets reads. “After they land at Khmeimin Air Base in Syria, the MiG 29s are repainted and emerge with no national markings.
They are flown by Russian military members & escorted by Russian fighters based in Syria to Libya, landing in Eastern Libya near Tobruk for fuel,” another Tweet continues. “At least 14 newly unmarked Russian aircraft are then delivered to Al Jufra Air Base in Libya.
The Drive provides various satellite images, and AFRICOM also tweeted satellite imagery of the Russian aircraft in Libya.
The deployment of fourth generation fighter jets to Libya to back the Wagner Group seems to show Russian Ministry of Defense has learned its lesson regarding Wagner Group’s lack of air support or anti-air capabilities. The mostly infantry force “was routed by U.S. forces” – and their strike aircraft – in a firefight in Syria near a Conoco gas plant in 2018.
Ultimately, Russia is engaged in a major strategic play in North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. As reported by Global Security, U.S. Air Force Gen. Jeff Harrigian, commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa explained, “If Russia seizes basing on Libya’s coast, the next logical step is they deploy permanent long-range anti-access area denial (A2AD) capabilities. If that day comes, it will create very real security concerns on Europe’s southern flank.”
And, if the U.S. and NATO do nothing to counter the Russian presence in the Mediterranean, that day may come sooner than expected.
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Can’t wait to see Pentagon’s punishment when all 14 or however many there really are disappear from radar, totally.
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Remember this chaos in North Africa, Syria, and throughout much of the region was brought to you by Dear Leader Obama (the “peace “prize” winner) and his “national security” team Hillary, Kerry, Rice, Powers, Brennan, Biden, Clapper, etc. They as well as the Bubba Clinton crew and Bushes’ new world order types gave us the China problem as well
wonderful comment jsccats…great
Exactly correct! DemonCraps, like hemorrhoids, are great at inflaming violence without any real purpose or plan. Similarly, they should be sanctioned to prevent loss of American lives and unceremoniously removed from every office in the land.
Shoot em all down!
I wonder if this will start WW3? Both China and Russia are trying to take over the world. And with the wimpy dems, they might do it.
The UN is worthless.
Perhaps the USA will counter the threat by sending a thousand Antifa protestors to “make things right” on the streets of Tripoli and Benghazi.
Works for me?
Since Putin claims they are not Russian planes, then we simply say, “Then you won’t have a problem if we shoot them out of the sky!”