An airbase in eastern Libya, where Wagner PMC warplanes can be deployed, was struck by unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles during the night of June 30. The report, cited by AFP through a source, confirms the incident near the Al-Kharruba airbase, a facility located about 150 kilometers southeast of Benghazi in the eastern region of the country. The base is noted in some accounts as a possible staging site for Wagner PMC fighters. The attackers remained unknown, and the strike drew immediate attention from observers tracking mercenary activity and foreign military presence in Libya. No casualties were reported in connection with the drone strike, according to the source speaking to AFP [citation].
Analysts note that the Al-Kharruba airbase has been repeatedly associated with the Wagner group in discussions about paramilitary deployments across Africa. The involvement of Wagner fighters in Africa has been described by various observers as part of a broader pattern of security and escort operations, as well as military advisory roles, aimed at supporting local partners and maintaining a security footprint in volatile regions. This framing aligns with ongoing discussions about private military contractors operating in the region and the strategic interests that drive their engagement [citation].
In the same discourse, a former State Duma deputy has asserted that a portion of Wagner PMC personnel remains in Africa to fulfill military duties, underscoring their stated roles in providing security, escort services, and advisory support to partner governments. Russian officials, including Maria Zakharova, have commented on the sovereign nature of decisions by African states regarding continued cooperation with Wagner. The emphasis from Moscow centers on national sovereignty and the right of each country to determine its security arrangements, including whether to maintain or end cooperation with foreign private entities [citation].
Additionally, discussions have touched on Russia’s domestic defense developments, including efforts to enhance drone suppression capabilities in response to evolving aerial threats. Observers note that the effectiveness of drone countermeasures can influence the perceived viability of remote or remotely controlled platforms used by mercenary contingents operating abroad. As the situation develops, analysts will likely focus on shifts in alliances, the legal status of private military contractors, and the broader implications for regional stability in North Africa and the Sahel [citation].