RH DOSSIER / State-linked force
Africa Corps
- Purpose
- A Russian state-contracted expeditionary force that took over much of Wagner’s African role, providing military support to partner governments and extending Moscow’s influence. [15][35]
- Size and reach
- Around 2,000 personnel in Mali in an analyst estimate reported by AP in December 2025. This is one country’s contingent, not a total for all Africa Corps operations. [35]
01 / STATE RELATIONSHIP
Russian state
The UK's September 2025 statement says Africa Corps personnel are directly contracted by the Russian state.
02 / CONTEXT IN THE RECORD
What to know
The UK sanctioned Africa Corps in November 2024 and continued discussing its influence activity in September 2026.
Where the evidence stops
Classified here as a state-linked force, not a fully independent proxy. This record is not a current country-by-country order of battle.
The cited dates establish the scope of this record. They do not confirm current operational capacity, complete membership or a present-day legal designation.
PUBLIC RECORD
Sources
- UK statement on mercenaries and state-contracted Africa Corps ↗
UK Mission to the UN, Geneva · 2025-09-15
- UK sanctions Africa Corps and Kremlin-linked mercenary groups ↗
UK FCDO · 2024-11-07
- UK statement on mercenaries and Russian influence networks ↗
UK Mission to the UN, Geneva · 2026-09-15
- Africa Corps in Mali: reported force size and operations ↗
Associated Press · 2025-12-07 · Analyst estimate for Mali only