{
  "id": 9556000,
  "title": "Russians guard Madagascar’s parliament speaker as Moscow builds Indian Ocean foothold – RFE/RL",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/russians-guard-madagascars-parliament-speaker-as-moscow-builds-indian",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T12:36:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euromaidan Press",
    "slug": "euromaidan-press",
    "url": "https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/09/24/russia-madagascar-parliament-speaker-africa-corps/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since Madagascar's October 2025 military coup, Russian forces have been integrated into the country's parliament speaker's security detail. Additionally, Russian instructors have commenced training Malagasy soldiers, according to RFE/RL. OSINT analysts traced a flight carrying a high-ranking Russian military intelligence officer and 40 members of Russia's Africa Corps to the island on December 20, 2025. The new leadership in Madagascar has welcomed Russian military aid, while Moscow has engaged in media projects, energy discussions, and possibly recruiting Malagasy workers. The prospective destination for these workers is Alabuga, a drone manufacturing plant in Russia's Tatarstan region. Major General Andrei Averyanov, who manages Russian military intelligence operations in Africa, was among the December flight's passengers. He traveled with members of Africa Corps, a Russian Defense Ministry unit that absorbed some Wagner forces. Madagascar's National Assembly speaker Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko announced the unit's arrival in December. Russian intelligence officer Anton Papshev participated in the January launch of training for Madagascar's 1st Airborne Battalion, which included a transfer of Russian weaponry, though RFE/RL did not specify the type. In February, interim President Michael Randrianirina met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow and expressed interest in broader defense, energy, and other types of cooperation. Russia signed a deal with Randrianasoloniaiko to establish a Russia House, a Kremlin cultural center. Ukraine's military intelligence claims Russia intends to expand its network across Africa to influence youth. Madagascar also authorized a branch of African Initiative, a Russia-linked media organization that assisted National Radio in launching a \"Russ-Mada\" program. Russian authorities appear to be targeting Malagasy workers for Alabuga, with the plant having recruited thousands of workers, predominantly young women from Africa and Central and South Asia, for lucrative positions. Richard Rakotonirina, head of Madagascar's Friends of Russia association, visited Alabuga in February. However, RFE/RL could not confirm whether any Malagasy workers had been recruited. This story echoes Russia's efforts to build a presence in Africa, as seen in other countries such as the Central African Republic, where Russian mercenaries guarded officials and trained troops for access to gold, diamonds, and timber. In the Republic of the Congo, Russian forces protect President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, and in Mali, they back a military government. Russian military presence in Mali reportedly resulted in the deaths of four civilian herders. Ukraine's drone specialists support forces battling Russian troops in Mali. Additionally, Russia plans to open eight new cultural centers in Africa to appeal to a new generation, as reported by HUR.",
  "summary": "Russia also trains Madagascar’s troops and may recruit workers for drones used against Ukraine.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}