Reports indicate that Russian military personnel have entered an air base in Niger where U.S. troops are stationed, according to a senior U.S. defense official who spoke to Reuters. This development comes on the heels of Niger’s junta ordering the expulsion of U.S. forces from the country.

The military leadership in Niger instructed the U.S. to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the nation, which, until last year’s coup, had been a crucial ally for Washington in combating insurgents responsible for widespread violence and displacement.

Although Russian forces are reportedly not intermingling with U.S. troops, they are utilizing a separate hangar at Airbase 101 near Niamey, Niger’s capital, as revealed by the anonymous U.S. defense official. Reuters was the first to break this story, highlighting the proximity of U.S. and Russian troops amidst escalating military and diplomatic tensions, particularly concerning the conflict in Ukraine.

This development raises concerns about the future of U.S. installations in Niger following the expulsion order.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin downplayed any immediate threat to American troops or the possibility of Russian forces accessing U.S. military equipment during a press conference in Honolulu.

“The Russians are in a separate compound and don’t have access to U.S. forces or our equipment,” Austin assured, emphasizing his priority of ensuring the safety of U.S. troops.

As of now, there has been no response from the Nigerien and Russian embassies in Washington regarding these reports.

The U.S. and its allies have faced challenges in Africa, with several countries experiencing political upheavals leading to the departure of Western military personnel. Apart from Niger, recent days have witnessed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Chad, while French forces have been expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso.