Recently released report reveals that Russian technicians are providing the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar with technical assistance.
A leaked document by released on 12 September by Proekt, a Russian investigative news website as part of a joint investigation with The Daily Beast and The Dossier.
The leaked document shows that the Russian technicians are repairing the LNA’s Soviet-supplied armoured fighting vehicles and artillery. RUB18.8 million (USD278,000) of parts had already been supplied as part of this process.
“In the period commencing 17 October 2018 up to now, the overhaul specialist team of the Russian Federation made up of 23 men conducted inspection, damage/defect assessment, and overhaul of armoured vehicles and equipment as specified below,”
The leaked document dated 12 March.
The leaked document, within in Russian language also outlined the LNA’s inventory prior to its attempt to capture the capital Tripoli earlier this year from forces aligned with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).
The vehicles that have been inspected and repaired includes 100 T-55, 35 T-62, and 10 T-72 tanks; 77 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles; 210 BTR-60 armoured personnel carriers; 21 BREM armoured recovery vehicles; 41 BRDM-2 armoured reconnaissance vehicles; and 10 MTLB armoured tracked carriers.
Furthermore, the Russian technicians also inspected various artillery such as 20 2S1 self-propelled gun-howitzers, six BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, and a single 2S3 self-propelled howitzer.
Most of the vehicles and guns were subject to repairs ranging from minor to full overhauls. .
Proekt disclosed that the document was written by an associated of Wagner Group, a private military company. However, Proekt didn’t recently if the technicians were serving under the military or otherwise.
Russians in Libya
This latest develomentRussian highlights Russia’s increasing involvement in the Libyan War. Earlier this year, the Russian Air Force began operating strategic transport Aircraft in a Libyan airfield.