Russian mercenaries expand influence in Africa through military operations and resource exploitation.

Russian mercenary group Wagner Group, known for its involvement in the war in Ukraine, has gained direct access to the natural resources of the Central African Republic in exchange for its military assistance to the country's government. The group has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including executions, rapes, and torture. Despite these accusations, Wagner's presence in Africa has doubled down and expanded into other countries. The group has been accused of violently seizing control of the Ndassima gold mine and developing it into a large-scale operation with the potential to net the group hundreds of millions of dollars in profits.