Wagner has already crashed two Russian fighter jets in Libya, AFRICOM says - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Jared Szuba

Jared Szuba

Sep 11, 2020

The US Africa Command says two Mig-29 jet fighter aircraft sent by Russia to help Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter have crashed. Here, a Mig-29 flies over rooftops of Belgrade during a training flight over the Serbian capital on Sept. 11, 2020. — ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images

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Two Russian fighter jets have crashed in Libya since being deployed to country’s civil war on the side of Gen. Khalifa Hifter earlier this year, a senior US military official said today.

The US Africa Command believes more than a dozen Russian aircraft, first reported to have been deployed to Libya in May, are being flown by Wagner paramilitary pilots.

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Libya conflict Russian influence

FILES - A Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jet takes off from the Hmeymim air base near Latakia, Syria, in this handout photograph released by Russia's Defence Ministry on October 22, 2015. REUTERS/Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - TM3EC9K1AWQ01

Intel: Russian-built aircraft actively using Libya’s Jufra air base

Jared Szuba

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

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Al-Monitor Staff

Al-Monitor Staff

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US B-52 bombers train with Morocco, Tunisia aircraft over Mediterranean

Jared Szuba

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Serbian Air Force Mig 29 fighter planes fly over the Batajnica military airport near capital Belgrade, on October 4, 2018. - The members of Serbias Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Defence and their colleagues from Russias Aerospace Force started an air-tactical exercise BARS 2018 on October 1, 2018. Serbias Defence Ministry said in a statement that the goal of the exercise to last through October 6 was to raise the level of the operational capabilities of the two countries air forces. That is the fourth such ex

US warns of NATO security threat as Russian jets arrive in Libya

Jared Szuba

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military