Russian soldiers arrive in Niger as relationship with U.S. deteriorates [Video]

DAKAR, Senegal — Russian military personnel arrived in Niger this week, according to Nigerien state television, less than one month after the military junta announced that it was ending military agreements with the United States.

The arrival of the Russian men in military fatigues marked the first concrete step in a new security arrangement between Russia and Niger. State television identified them as “Russian military instructors,” and said they would be providing training and equipment to the Nigerien military.

The relationship between the United States and Niger, which for years had been a key Western ally, had grown tense …