Two men claiming to be Russian nationals have appeared in a video released by an extremist group, alleging that they were taken captive in Niger by militants linked to al-Qaida. The video, posted on the az-Zallaqa platform, shows the men seated side by side in traditional local attire, with one identifying himself as Yury, a geologist working for a Russian company in Baga, northeastern Niger. The other man, whose name was less clear, mentioned being in Niger for a month.
The authenticity and date of the video remain unverified, and the exact timing of their capture was not disclosed. If confirmed, these men would be the first Russians in the Sahel region believed to be kidnapped by jihadis, despite Russia's increasing presence in the area.
Russia has taken advantage of strained relations between Western nations and coup-affected Sahel countries to deploy fighters and assert influence. The Wagner mercenary group, known for its involvement in securing mineral resources, has been active in the Sahel.
Niger has recently shifted its security alliances away from Western partners towards Russia, with Russian military trainers reinforcing the country's air defenses. The video release follows an attack by al-Qaida that targeted Wagner fighters in Mali, resulting in casualties and captives.
According to a Sahel specialist, the Russians were captured on July 19 during a clash between jihadis and Niger's military in Baga. The militants have indicated a potential interest in a prisoner exchange, as suggested by their use of the term 'captives' in the video.
Jihadi groups in the Sahel region have a history of abducting individuals for ransom to fund their activities. The hostages in this case are the only known non-African foreigners currently held by jihadi groups in the Sahel, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region.
French journalist Olivier Dubois was previously kidnapped in northern Mali but was released last year. The situation involving the Russian captives underscores the complex security dynamics in the Sahel and the risks faced by foreign nationals in the region.
