The attack on Niamey airport targetting the drones, the main capacity to counter jihadist groups, on the night of January 28-29, 2026, by a group affiliated with the terrorist movement, revealed the Russian presence at the airbase adjacent to the airport.
Indeed, Nigerien officials acknowledged Russian assistance during this attack, which likely involved the use of drones by the assailants in a coordinated attack targeting several points south of the airport. This active participation of the Africa Corps detachment was also reported by African Initiative, even before the official Nigerien statement.
Beyond the fact that this attack is now a thorn in the side of the Nigerien narrative, which claimed everything was under control while omitting to describe the reality experienced by the people of Tillaberi and the pressure exerted by JNIM and IS-S on Niamey, it is indeed confirmation of Russia’s involvement in Niger.
As early as January 22, an article in Les Échos du Niger reported on civil-military activities by Nigerien authorities in the Dosso region, an area affected by violence perpetrated by IS-S in particular.
The visit to Niamey by the Russian Orthodox clergy could also have demonstrated a presence of Africa Corps.
INPACT was thus able to locate this church made from a shipping container located at the eastern end of the airbase located with the Niamey airport.
Other satellite images show that on the morning of January 29, 2026, a Turkish TB2 drone was parked in front of a hangar in this area.
This now-established Russian presence is also a major obstacle for the Nigerien authorities, who have maintained a discourse on sovereignty and the affirmation of a unique Nigerien identity inherited from the periods of governance under Presidents Tanja, Issoufou, and Bazoum. The Russian communication strategy of Africa Corps also contributes to undermining the country’s assertion of sovereignty and its control over the choice of partners by adopting a contemptuous tone towards the Nigerien army and praising its critical role.
“Last night, Niamey airport in Niger was attacked by terrorists. Of course, the local “warriors” couldn’t do anything. They slept through the attack, and then all the security personnel fled, just like in Bamako on September 24th. The terrorists entered the airport and did whatever they wanted with impunity. Guess who was the only one to fight back and drive the terrorists away? I think it doesn’t take much guessing.”
“The guys from Niger are writing. The Nigerien air force, based at Air Base 101, was attacked. If it weren’t for the guys from the AC [Editor’s note: Africa Corps], the Nigeriens would have lost all their Bayraktar drones. In short, where the AC were, the terrorists were routed and couldn’t do anything. But where the allies were, everything was burned down and everyone they could catch was killed.”
“The Nigerien armed forces claim to have eliminated five terrorists. What they do not mention, however, is that the Nigerien soldiers did not fire a single shot during the battle.”
This now-official support was also manifested in the armed escort provided to transport the uranium convoy from Arlit to Niamey, as we described in our report. Previously, the arrival of Africa Corps had not been confirmed by the country’s authorities. Several media outlets and INPACT’s own sources indicated that they were based in villas near the headquarters of Niger’s external security service, with which they were cooperating directly.
A few months earlier, the sale of uranium produced during Orano’s operational period was halted. Part of the yellowcake has since been stored at Base 101.
Investigations with Impact 
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