A US official told The Hill on Thursday that Russian military members have been staying at an air base in Niger where US troops and equipment are also stationed.
As roughly 1,000 American service members prepare to leave Niger due to strained relations following a military coup last year, the new development reveals that Russian military personnel have been at the same base.
According to The Hill, Russian troops have been at Airbase 101 in Niamey, Niger for a couple of weeks now.
The official confirmed that the Russian forces are using a separate hangar at the base and do not have access to US personnel, spaces, or equipment.
They also mentioned that most US forces in the area have been moved to a different base after the coup, but did not specify the number of remaining troops or equipment at Airbase 101.
The presence of Russian military at the same base as US troops has raised concerns, especially given the tense relationship between the US and Russia over the situation in Ukraine.
Reuters initially reported on the presence of Russian troops at the base. Reuters was the first to break the news about the Russian troops at the base.
Last month, it was announced that American forces would be leaving Niger after the military junta terminated a cooperation agreement, posing a major challenge in the fight against extremist groups in the region.
The withdrawal from Niger is a significant setback for the US military's efforts to combat militant groups across the volatile Sahel region in northern Africa.
About 100 US troops have also recently departed from Chad, according to Reuters.
Following the lead of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has sought to establish ties with Russia, including its private military company Wagner Group, which has a history of exploiting the resources of African nations.
A delegation, including US Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon and Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, was sent to Niger last week to organize a smooth withdrawal.
