In a significant geopolitical development, Russia has reportedly sent special forces with unique training to Burkina Faso, under direct orders from President Vladimir Putin, to safeguard the presidency of Captain Ibrahim Traoré and ensure stability in the country. This move comes in the wake of multiple failed coup attempts against Traoré’s military government, which has faced internal betrayals and external pressures since taking power in 2022.
According to intelligence reports and multiple sources, these Russian commandos are tasked with reinforcing national security and protecting Traoré, whom Putin described in cryptic terms as “like a son” and emphasized his readiness to respond if “a younger brother calls for help.” The deployment symbolizes a deepening alliance between Burkina Faso and Russia, reflecting a broader shift in the Sahel region away from traditional Western influence toward new partnerships.
Burkina Faso’s junta has been under constant threat from both internal dissidents and foreign-backed plots, with recent coup attempts involving high-ranking military officers and terrorist elements aiming to destabilize the government. Following the latest foiled coup in April 2025, Traoré has implemented a “lockdown doctrine,” restructuring the presidential guard, expanding counterintelligence operations, and mobilizing civilian militias known as Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) to act as a protective buffer around his administration.
Russian forces have reportedly taken control of Burkina Faso’s airspace to prevent potential invasions and are working closely with local security agencies to detect and neutralize threats. This military support is seen as crucial for Traoré’s survival and the continuation of his vision for an independent Burkina Faso, free from neocolonial interference.
The involvement of Russian special forces has sparked concern among Western powers, particularly France, which has historically maintained a military presence in the region but was expelled by the junta. Meanwhile, neighboring countries like Ivory Coast have been accused of harboring coup plotters, further complicating regional stability.
The alliance between Burkina Faso and Russia is emblematic of a new geopolitical landscape in Africa, where leaders like Traoré seek to assert sovereignty and resist external domination. As Russia deepens its footprint in the Sahel, the future of Burkina Faso’s political stability and its role in the broader African continent remains a focal point of international attention.
