Russia’s multi-year attempt to entrench itself across the Sahel is now facing a dramatic reversal. In Mali, local fighters have forced Russian-linked forces out of multiple cities, with momentum shifting and advances continuing as pressure builds on remaining positions.
At the same time, unrest inside Russia is becoming harder to ignore. Public frustration is surfacing more openly, with officials facing backlash and growing criticism over why air defenses appear concentrated around elite sites while cities and critical infrastructure remain exposed. Questions about leadership and direction are intensifying as new economic indicators point to deeper strain.
Beyond this, the war is expanding in reach. Ukrainian drone operations are now striking targets thousands of kilometers from the front, pushing far beyond the Urals and demonstrating a widening battlefield. Reports from inside Russia paint a picture of growing dissatisfaction, from residents in oil-heavy regions questioning the government’s response to disasters to younger voices expressing disillusionment with the war itself.
Amid all of this, moments from the front continue to stand out, including the rescue of an elderly civilian carried out using a ground robot deep inside a dangerous zone. The situation is shifting quickly, both in Africa and inside Russia, and the implications are only beginning to unfold.
DEFEATNIK.COM
