The official military cooperation between Moscow and Lome has been developing since 2022, when Togo received Mi-35 and Mi-17 helicopters from Russia. And after attacking Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin began with a quiet, unofficial recruitment of Togians, with which it complements significant losses suffered in the fighting with Ukrainian forces.
The use of military Togians and other African citizens enables Russia to continue offensive in Ukraine, reduces the risk of internal protests, and by the way strengthens political control over African rule.
The military pact with Togo is a strategy that Moscow tested in the Central African Republic, Mali or Burkina Faso. Under the pretext of support in the field of security and authoritarian protection, Russia receives access to raw materials or, as in the case of Togo, to the Atlantic Port.
Russian mercenaries operate in Africa
And the Głębokomorian Lome port, adapted to receive containerists and war ships, is important not only for Russia, but also for the alliance of the Sahel, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger countries that cooperate with her, which do not have access to the sea.
Until now, Russia, by supplying its mercenaries in the northern part of Mali, used the port of Konakry in Guinea, which is separated from the borders of Mali by mountains covered with dense rainforests. The road from Lome to Mali through Burkin Faso is easier and shorter.
Strengthening military cooperation between Russia and Togo does not accidentally coincide with the departure of this African country from the rules of democracy. In June, young activists protested against the long -term President Faure Gnassingbe on the streets of Lome. Fearful of losing power in the election, Gnassingbe conducted a change of constitution last year, which as an indelible prime minister gave him the entire executive power. At least seven demonstrators were killed in clashes with security forces.
