Soldiers boarding helicopter
This undated photograph handed out by the French military shows Russian mercenaries boarding a helicopter in northern Mali.
  • Russia has pulled combat forces from Africa to support its new offensive in the Kharkiv region.
  • Africa Corps units recently deployed to fight with other Russian forces, Western intelligence said.
  • The Russian Africa Corps was created last year and consists of former Wagner Group mercenaries. 

Russia has moved some combat forces from Africa to help support its latest offensive efforts in northeastern Ukraine, according to a new Western intelligence assessment.