Russian Deputy Defense Minister in Niger to strengthen military cooperation. In Niger, the military authorities received the Russian Deputy Minister of Defence, who is also the new head of the Wagner Group. This is the first official visit by a member of the Russian government, since the putsch of 26 July. Nigerien authorities say, is "the signing of documents as part of the strengthening of military cooperation" between Russia and Niger. The documents were signed by Nigerien Defence Minister Salifou Modi and his Russian counterpart Yunus Bek Yevkurov with great pomp and circumstance.