Defense: After the Sahel, Russia extends its grip to the Indian Ocean

On May 5, the Africa Corps, a Russian paramilitary organization, completed the training of 127 Malagasy soldiers, including special forces and presidential guard. This follows a deployment that began in December 2025 after the October 2025 coup that brought Colonel Michaël Randrianirina to power. Russia delivered weapons and provided training in multiple waves, strengthening its military presence in Madagascar. The Africa Corps replaced the Wagner Group after the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin.