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French soldiers in Mali (archive image)
Photo: THOMAS COEX / AFP
After the withdrawal of French troops from a base in Timbuktu, according to the Malian armed forces, Russian soldiers moved there.
They should train local troops, an army spokesman told Reuters on Thursday.
How many Russians are now stationed in the city in the north of the country, he did not say. The Russian mission is controversial in the West, since according to the Reuters news agency, mercenaries from the Wagner group could also be involved. The military government in Mali rejects this. The Russian Ministry of Defense did not initially provide a statement.
The French withdrawal from the Timbuktu base was part of a general troop reduction.
Mali is currently ruled by the military and the promised return to democracy has not materialized.
In the African country, Malian and foreign armed forces as well as UN peacekeeping forces are fighting against insurgents linked to the extremist militia "Islamic State" (IS) and Al-Qaeda.
Thousands of civilians have been killed and millions of people have fled as a result of their attacks in recent years.
The Bundeswehr has 1,050 soldiers stationed in Mali as part of the Minusma UN peacekeeping force.
Another 350 soldiers from Germany are participating in a European training mission.
wal / Reuters
