Nikhita Gandhi spotted in the city

Russia is tightening its grip in West Africa as military operations intensify in Mali. Footage released by Moscow shows Russia-backed Africa Corps forces repelling a major rebel advance and foiling an attempted coup over the weekend. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, heavily armed operations involving helicopters, UAVs, and ground forces inflicted “irreparable losses” on militants, forcing them to retreat and preventing the fall of key state institutions in Bamako. Officials claim around 12,000 fighters were involved in the assault, with hundreds killed and dozens of vehicles destroyed during the clashes. The Africa Corps is said to have secured strategic positions, including the presidential palace, in what Moscow is calling a decisive blow to insurgent forces.