Ouagadougou: Russian soldiers including instructors arrived this week in Burkina Faso, as part of the strengthening of military and strategic cooperation between the two armies, the AIB learned on Saturday from security sources.

‘This arrival of Russian soldiers in Burkina Faso, which is not a first, takes place within the normal framework of the privileged relations that exist between the countries. It aims above all to strengthen military and strategic cooperation between the two armies and between the two Nations,’ the AIB was told.

This strengthening of military and strategic cooperation is already materialized by a substantial increase in scholarships in all categories and the deployment of a defense attaché underway in Moscow.

As a reminder, since the arrival of President Ibrahim Traoré in September 2022, relations between Burkina Faso and the Russian Federation have expanded and deepened in all areas.

On December 6, 2023, the government appointed Aristide Rapougdoudba Ludovic Tapsoba, in his capaci
ty as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Burkina Faso to the Russian Federation.

On December 28, 2023, Russia reopened its embassy in Ouagadougou after a 31-year closure.

Source: Burkina Information Agency