A GAZ Tigr (background left) was seen when the wife of Equatorial Guinea's president arrived for the military parade in Djibloho on 12 October. (Partido Democrático de Guinea Ecuatorial)
The presence of a Russian tactical vehicle during Equatorial Guinea's military parade on 12 October supports earlier reports that Russian troops have deployed to the West African country.
The GAZ Tigr 4×4 light armoured vehicle was seen in the background in the television coverage of the parade marking the 56th anniversary of the country's independence as the president's wife arrived at the venue in Djibloho.
The vehicle had a camouflage scheme that is used by the Russian military but not previously seen in Equatorial Guinea. It was fitted with smoke grenade launchers, indicating it is the SpN variant that is in service with some Russian special forces units. The soldier standing in its roof hatch was also wearing a uniform and helmet that did not match those used by local soldiers.
Four old BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles were the only Russian-made vehicles in the actual parade, which included all the different types of modern Chinese armoured vehicles that are in service with the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR).
The Spain-based opposition newspaper Diario Rombe published photographs on 23 August showing white soldiers it identified as Russian mercenaries who had recently arrived in the capital Malabo to protect the president and his family. It said another Russian contingent was expected to arrive in the continental part of the country.
Diario Rombe published more photographs on 14 September showing nine European soldiers – at least one with a Russian flag patch – posing with African counterparts in a location the newspaper identified as Bata, the main city in continental Equatorial Guinea.
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