Russia sends military trainers, air defence system to Niger: State media | News

Violence in the region has worsened since coups in Niger and its neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso.

Russian military trainers have arrived in Niger with an air defence system and other equipment as part of the West African nation’s deepening security ties with Moscow, state media reported.

Niger’s military government agreed in January to step up military cooperation with Russia, after expelling French forces that were helping fight armed rebellions in several Sahel nations.

Broadcaster Tele Sahel showed a Russian transport plane arriving at Niamey airport, as it reported late on Thursday…