African Defense Forum: Russia moves to expand military presence at 6 Libyan airbases

The Africa Defense Forum has reported accelerated Russian moves to strengthen Moscow’s military presence in Libya, saying Russia plans to fund and carry out infrastructure projects and provide personnel at six Libyan air bases, in what it described as part of Moscow’s efforts to expand its influence in North Africa and the Sahel.

According to the report, which cited data from the Tearline project of the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Russian activity involves the Jufra, Al-Khadim, Ghardabiya, Brak Al-Shati, Maaten Al-Sarra and Tamanhint air bases, located across central, eastern and southern Libya.

The forum said military equipment, air defense systems, MiG-29 fighter jets and drones had been observed at the bases, along with Russian military personnel and members affiliated with Russian formations.

The report also said Moscow is seeking to strengthen its presence in eastern Libya through projects linked to the Port of Tobruk and Tobruk Air Base, potentially giving Russia greater capacity to support its military and logistical operations in the region.

Maaten Al-Sarra Air Base, near Libya’s borders with Chad and Sudan, is considered particularly important to Russian activity. African security researcher Frank Talbot described it as a potential strategic hub for Russian operations in the Sahel.

The base had remained abandoned since 2011 before Russian forces resumed using it, alongside work to rehabilitate its runways, warehouses and other facilities.

At Al-Khadim Air Base, about 100 kilometers east of Benghazi, the report said three new hangars and facilities believed to be intended for accommodation and support were constructed over the past year. A possible communications tower and barracks were also added in 2026, while Russian personnel were observed at the base.

At Jufra Air Base, the report said Russian forces have maintained a presence since 2019. Development work there has included the rehabilitation of aircraft hangars and the construction of small buildings, fences, berms and additional support facilities.

Russian activity at Ghardabiya Air Base, which is linked to Sirte International Airport, dates back to 2022, according to the forum. Infrastructure development has included runway rehabilitation and reinforcement of the base’s perimeter.

The Russian presence at Brak Al-Shati Air Base has expanded since March 2024, with a hangar and two buildings believed to be used for aircraft maintenance constructed there. The number of Russian personnel at the base has also increased from around 300 to 450 since December 2024, according to the report.

The report also highlighted Tamanhint Air Base, which was previously used by Wagner Group personnel for military operations and to facilitate weapons transfers to Sudan before activities shifted to the so-called Africa Corps. Expansion and rehabilitation work at the base reportedly included facilities believed to be used for accommodation, a road connecting the runway to the hangars, and modifications to the runway.

The Africa Defense Forum linked these developments to a broader Russian effort to expand its military foothold in Libya and take advantage of the country’s strategic location to support the movement of personnel, equipment and weapons across North Africa and the Sahel. It warned that the continued presence of foreign military forces poses a challenge to efforts to unify Libya’s institutions and remove foreign forces and mercenaries from the country.