Military Support of the Iranian Islamist Regime
Serving Objective 5: Thwarting policies of the US and its allies in the MENA region
9 May 2026. The New York Times reports that Russia is shipping drone components to Iran via the Caspian Sea, helping Tehran rebuild its drone arsenal, while also supplying goods ordinarily transiting the now-US-blockaded Strait of Hormuz. Four Iranian Caspian ports are operating around the clock to receive food imports including wheat, corn, animal feed, and sunflower oil rerouted through this corridor. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/09/world/middleeast/caspian-sea-iran-russia.html
Covert and Political Subversion vs. France
Serving Objective 3: Enhancing internal political instability and polarization within Western states
16 Apr 2026. Intelligence Online reports that Russian actors linked to the GRU military intelligence agency are conducting cyber reconnaissance operations targeting the continuity mechanisms of France’s strategic nuclear deterrent communications networks, including infrastructure, personnel, and service providers involved in deterrence. https://www.intelligenceonline.com/europe-russia/2026/04/16/russian-cyber-operatives-target-french-nuclear-deterrent-communications-networks,110705092-eve
Military Force in Mali
Serving Objective 16: Entrenching Russian influence in sub-Saharan Africa
Since 25 Apr 2026. Russian troops participate in combat against the Tuareg and Islamist rebels in Mali, after the rebel launch series of offensive operations.
Diplomatic Cooperation with China
Serving Objective 20: Alignment with China
14-15 Apr 2026. In meetings with the Chinese leadership, Russian foreign minister Lavrov says it is in the two powers’ mutual interest for the West’s attempts “to retain and even renew its hegemony” to fail, accuses the West of seeking to contain both China and Russia in East Asia.
https://mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/2094750/
https://mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/2094547/
Aid Support of Niger
Serving Objective 16: Entrenching Russian influence in sub-Saharan Africa
28 Apr 2026. Russia delivers 20,000 tons of mineral fertilizers to Niger as humanitarian aid at an official ceremony in Niamey, continuing a pattern of bilateral food assistance that previously included 20,000 tons of wheat and over 350 tons of sunflower oil.
https://mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/2101499/
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