Russian troops have no access to U.S. troops or equipment in Niger, Austin says

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday there was no significant problem with US troops in Niger, after Reuters reported that Russian soldiers had entered an air base in the capital Niamey housing US troops. “The Russians are in a separate compound and have no access to American troops or our equipment,” Austin told a news conference in Honolulu.

“I am always focused on the safety and protection of our troops. But at this time I do not see a significant problem here in terms of our force protection.”

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