How a convoy attack exposed Russia’s expanding role in Libya

France’s state broadcaster Radio France Internationale has reported that two incidents this week have once again drawn attention to the presence of Russian-linked forces in southern Libya, following a helicopter crash that left five people dead.

According to the broadcaster, the aircraft went down overnight between Monday 9 February and Tuesday 10 February in the country’s south, bringing renewed focus to the sensitive issue of foreign fighters operating in the region.

Attack on fuel convoy

RFI began its report by referring to claims made by a group calling itself the “Revolutionaries of Southern Libya”, which alleged responsibility for an attack on a convoy affiliated with the General Command of the Libyan National Army, led by Khalifa Haftar.

The convoy was reportedly transporting fuel towards Sudan on 9 February when it was targeted. Days earlier, on 31 January, the same group is said to have briefly seized control of a key border crossing between Libya and Chad.

According to RFI, attackers set fire to three fuel tankers bound for Sudan, despite the presence of security provided by the Subul Al-Salam Brigade, which is tasked with securing the area. The broadcaster described the assault as the second attack within 12 days against forces affiliated with the General Command in the Libyan desert.

The group’s leader, identified as Mohammed Wardogou, reportedly threatened to escalate operations along the border, citing what he described as chronic fuel shortages in southern Libya.

RFI further characterised the attack as the first of its kind allegedly aimed at disrupting fuel smuggling between Libya and Sudan, which it said benefits Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces amid their ongoing conflict with the Sudanese army. It also cited claims by Salafi cleric Abdul Rahman Hashem, who accused the Sudanese army of being behind the operation.

Helicopter crash near Ma’tan al-Sarra

RFI said the developments have once again highlighted Russia’s footprint in southern Libya, particularly following the helicopter crash near the Ma’tan al-Sarra military base.

The helicopter, reportedly piloted by two Russian nationals, had been dispatched to evacuate a member of the Subul Al-Salam Brigade who was injured in a traffic accident while allegedly fleeing the convoy attack. The aircraft crashed close to the base, killing five people on board.

Ma’tan al-Sarra lies approximately 300 kilometres south-west of Kufra and is one of five southern bases affiliated with Haftar’s General Command since last year. RFI reported that Russian paramilitary personnel are stationed there under what is known as the Africa Corps, described as the successor to the Wagner Group.

The Africa Corps is widely regarded as having replaced the Wagner Group, the Russian private military company that previously operated across Libya and other parts of Africa. United Nations experts, RFI noted, have linked such forces to cross-border smuggling activities, including the transfer of weapons, ammunition and fuel to Sudanese militias.

No official explanation has been provided for the cause of the crash. RFI pointed out that medical helicopters are widely used in Libya’s vast desert regions, but often face maintenance challenges in a country marked by difficult terrain, limited infrastructure and years of instability.

The twin incidents are expected to intensify scrutiny of foreign involvement in southern Libya, a strategically significant region increasingly entangled in broader regional conflicts.