Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Africa Corps emerged from the ashes of a crashed plane in August 2023. The Russian Ministry of Defence established this new paramilitary unit to take over all operations previously run by Wagner in Africa.
Konstantin Mirzayants became closely involved in these new government-controlled operations following the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin. Andrei Ivanov known as Kep moved his unit into the new corps alongside Ruslan Zaprudsky and Alexander Kuznetsov.
The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the Africa Corps in November 2024. Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated these measures aimed to counter illegal activities and hinder the destabilization of African nations like Niger and Mali.
In December 2024, the Russian Ministry of Defence sent 1000 soldiers to Mali. These troops joined 1500 men still deployed there under Ruslan Zlobin's command before US officials estimated around 2000 soldiers from both groups remained active in Mali.
Malian refugees described cold-blooded killings in late 2025 committed by Africa Corps fighters. Reports detail burning villages, gang rape, sexual slavery, beheadings, and abductions including an incident where a 14-year-old girl claimed she was raped by men entering her family's tent in early December 2025.