Supply of drones and armored vehicles, training by Russian instructors from the Africa Corps... Since the October 2025 coup, security cooperation between Madagascar and Russia has strengthened. This growing Russian influence extends to other sectors, raising concerns among some members of civil society.

Published on: 05/01/2026 - 20:30

Two BMP-3 tracked armored vehicles, protective equipment... This is what is shown in the photos of the “handover of Russian military technical assistance” ceremony held at a military camp in the city of Ivato, Madagascar, on April 1.

The Russian Embassy in Madagascar released the photos, explaining that “light weapons” had also been delivered, and that this equipment was intended to “strengthen [Madagascar’s] defense capabilities and develop the capabilities of the national armed forces.”

This handover came in the presence of the transitional president, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who took power in October 2025 following widespread youth protests and the military’s ouster of the former president.

This is one of the latest signs of rapprochement between Moscow and Antananarivo, with the colonel indicating last November his willingness to open up to all countries provided that the partnership is “mutually profitable.”

A Russian delegation and equipment arrive

This rapprochement was particularly evident with the arrival of a Russian delegation and equipment in December 2025.

On December 20, a US-sanctioned Russian Defense Ministry plane, RA-86572, landed at Antananarivo-Ivato Airport in Madagascar. The next day, the President of the National Assembly, Cetinje Randrianasoloniako, noted that a 40-person Russian delegation had arrived on the island, and that equipment had been provided to the Presidential Guard “within the framework of legitimate cooperation between countries.” Cetinje Randrianasoloniako is known to be close to Moscow, and is considered a key player in this rapprochement.

Photos published by the latter show boxes containing an assault rifle, a Russian-made Boomerang drone, and a remote control for a drone, as detailed by the “All Eyes on Wagner” investigation team. According to Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, “16 kamikaze drones, 50 pistols, and 50 Kalashnikov rifles” were delivered.

The news caused a stir, especially since the Russian delegation was reportedly headed by Andrei Avrianov, deputy head of Russian military intelligence and the alleged commander of the Africa Corps, the paramilitary group that succeeded the Wagner Group.

Training by “Africa Corps Trainers”

Less than a month later, on January 14, the Presidency for the Reestablishment of the Republic of Madagascar (the Transitional Presidency) announced that Russia had supplied weapons to the Malagasy army, and that a “Russian delegation” had arrived “to train the army in the use of this new equipment.”

The presidency explained that training had begun that day, and published photos showing masked Russian trainers alongside drones, assault rifles, and snipers. According to the presidency, 140 Russian trainers have been deployed on the island.

According to the Africa Initiative news agency, a Russian agency that describes itself as an “information bridge” to Africa, this “initial training” conducted by “Africa Corps trainers” was certified by 140 soldiers from Madagascar. The agency indicated that this eight-week training course will be followed by additional training courses.

According to a report broadcast by Russian state television channel RT on March 15, the training provided by “Russian military trainers from the Africa Corps” includes diverse specializations, from engineering and assault units to snipers, reconnaissance teams, and attack drone operators.

A masked Russian instructor explains in the report, for example, that he is trained to use reconnaissance drones, drop explosives to hit a target, and operate kamikaze drones. The footage also shows military training using Kalashnikov rifles.

“This training [...] would improve the performance of the Madagascar army, first and foremost to protect us, and then to combat cattle rustlers in the south and west of the country,” Michael Randrianirina says in the report.

Moreover, on April 23, the Presidency of the Reestablishment Foundation announced the completion of a one-month and three-week training course, provided by “Russian soldiers” for 14 members of the Presidential Guard, with the aim of “strengthening the security of the honorary guard.”

Delivery of trucks and helicopters to “transport humanitarian aid”

Russia delivered additional equipment in February, following the cyclones that struck Madagascar. Photos published by the Reestablishment Foundation presidency on February 27 show the display of six KamAZ trucks and two MI-8 helicopters, as well as food aid, at Antananarivo airport. The equipment was delivered in two separate batches, announced on February 18 and 21, respectively, by the Russian Embassy and the African Initiative.

Meanwhile, on February 19, the Malagasy president was received with a standing ovation by Vladimir Putin in Moscow, where he announced a “new era of cooperation” with Russia.

“These vehicles will be used immediately to deliver humanitarian aid to Toamasina and remote areas,” the presidency announced, adding that they “will later be made available to security forces to combat insecurity and crime.”

“This humanitarian aspect is very important because it reinforces the image of a government that works in the interest of the people,” explains Ivan Klišić, a researcher at the International Center for Defense and Security in Estonia.

Protect the authorities?

While the government publicly discusses training and equipment provided by the Russians, it is tight-lipped about the role Russian personnel may play in protecting the authorities.

According to Le Monde, “mercenaries” from the Africa Corps are providing “personal protection” to the president of the reestablishment.

At the end of March, netizens in Madagascar circulated photos showing the president of the National Assembly surrounded by white bodyguards - described by some as Russian mercenaries - accusing him of not trusting the Malagasy army. “The President of the National Assembly travels with them,” confirms Thierry Vercoullon, research associate at the Sub-Saharan Africa Center of the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI).

He believes that this "personal protection" is the main reason why the government invited them. It is believed that she "fears another coup."

In any case, these Russian individuals appear to have become part of the scene, as reported by the local press.

'Vague cooperation'

With civil society denouncing the lack of real reforms and declining freedoms, and Amnesty International referring to “arbitrary arrests,” this enhanced cooperation raises questions among a segment of the population.

We spoke with one resident, who preferred to remain anonymous:

"Our problem is access to water and electricity. Madagascar is an island. We wonder why they send us tanks [armored vehicles, editor's note]: Isn't that their priority? And why do they use Russian mercenaries when there are Malagasy soldiers?"

The Citizens and Civil Society Organizations Group (CCOC), through its Secretary-General, Honey Radert, also calls for “more transparency” in this regard. “We do not understand this militarization,” she told the editorial team. What justifies this? Is it really a priority compared to the overall development needs of the population? There is currently no clear explanation for the Russian presence and military buildup.

Sita Dera, general coordinator of Liberty 32, points to the “opaque cooperation”: “We can establish a partnership with Russia, but the agreements must be transparent. We are concerned. We ask what is the return for these contributions, what is their feasibility - that is, what is the purpose of using these weapons?”

The Joint Operations Center (CCOC) also believes that this type of cooperation is not part of the current government's mandate. “Its mission is to successfully manage the transition and achieve real reform of the governance system,” says Honey Radert. “For us, its tasks should be limited to conducting consultations and managing day-to-day affairs. This should not be a time when new relationships are built that restrict the country.”

The story of a "global and benevolent force"

Why is Russia interested in Madagascar?

Pointing to the presence of gold and other minerals on the island, Thierry Vercoullon believes that “Russia, as in the case of the Central African Republic, will expel the Europeans in general, and the French in particular, once it seizes power, and will reap huge profits.”

The island also overlooks the Mozambique Channel, a waterway that is “increasingly important today due to instability in the Middle East,” explains Ivan Kličić. “Ships circling the Red Sea pass through it through the Cape of Good Hope.”

But this intervention goes beyond commercial considerations, according to the researcher:

“Russia seeks to support this narrative of a benevolent global power that supports sovereignty-seeking governments. They want to change the foreign policy of African countries to adopt policies more favorable to Russia.”

Cultural and economic influence

Russia's interest in the island is nothing new. In 2018, it attempted to influence the results of the presidential election. But this time, this influence seems to be developing very quickly, not only in the military sector, but also in the cultural and economic fields.

“Russia has gotten radio broadcasts on national radio and is in the process of acquiring several private media outlets,” says Thierry Vercollon.

A new pro-Russian political party, the National Awakening for a United Madagascar, was also founded in early March. This party represents the political wing of the "Friends of Russia in Madagascar" organization, which is a central channel for the Russian network within the circles of power.

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Moreover, the Russian-Malagasy Chamber of Commerce was established at the end of March with the aim of enhancing trade exchange between the two countries.

This rapprochement comes at a time when diplomatic relations with France, the island's historical partner and which has faced sharp criticism since the smuggling of former President Andry Rajoelina on a French plane, have witnessed some tension in recent days.

On April 28, Madagascar demanded the expulsion of an employee of the French Embassy on suspicion of involvement in “acts of destabilization.” This came in the wake of the spread of rumors on social media, which the French embassy denied, stressing that it was “inquiring about the source and motives of those who spread them.”

On Wednesday, April 29, the Reestablishment Presidency announced that the heads of state of Madagascar and France reaffirmed their desire “that this incident not affect the dynamic of cooperation between the two countries.”

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