United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) assessed the Russian Federation continues to violate UN Security Council Resolution UNSCR 1970 by actively providing military equipment and fighters to the front lines of the Libya conflict.

AFRICOM has documented in a series of media releases, the U.S. assesses that Russia supplied Wagner forces operating in Libya with fighter aircraft, military armored vehicles, air defense systems, and supplies, further complicating the situation and increasing the risk for miscalculation leading to continued and needless violence in Libya. 

“Imagery reflects the broad scope of Russian involvement,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Hadfield, AFRICOM deputy director of intelligence. “They continue to look to attempt to gain a foothold in Libya.” 

“Russian involvement is evident — which the Kremlin lies about every time they deny it,” said Col. Chris Karns, AFRICOM director of public affairs.

Libya was split into two governments after a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi who was later killed.

In the east stands a government allied with military commander Khalifa Hifter, backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Russia — and in the west is one in Tripoli, supported by the UN.

The imagery, released July 24, shows Wagner forces and equipment on the front lines of the Libyan conflict in Sirte — where both sides in Libya’s civil war have been mobilizing to in previous weeks.