Russia is reshaping the fate of the Libyan nation and is working on taking control of its vast oil reserves, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The US-based journal said in a report on Monday that Russia is sending reinforcements to Libya to help warlord Khalifa Haftar.
The Wall Street Journal said that according to European and Libyan officials, private military contractors from Russia helped forces loyal to Haftar take control of Libya’s largest oil field last week.
With Russian cargo planes regularly shuttling between a Russian airbase in Syria and Libya in recent weeks, US military officials said Moscow could deliver weapons or troops to strengthen the renegade commander, the report said.
It added that Russia has also dispatched MiG-29 fighter jets and an advanced radar system. The planes could be piloted by inexperienced contractors who will not adhere to international law, warned Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Bradford Gering, director of operations for the US Africa Command.
It also noted that Russia’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment about the military support as they have said in the past that the military contractors do not represent the Russian government.
