The Russians have been using a separate hangar on the base, known as Air Base 101, the sources said, and are not operating in the same space as the Americans.
They also raised questions about the future of Air Base 101 and whether it would be ceded to the Russians, CNN previously reported.
Reuters first reported that the Russians troops had entered Air Base 101.
Russian media reported on April 11 that Russia was sending equipment and 100 military trainers to Niger, though one of the sources said Russian troops were in the country well before April.
More than half of the US troops stationed at the French military base in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, have now left the country and relocated to Germany.
Persons:
Michael Langley, Celeste Wallander, Sabrina Singh
Organizations:
CNN, Russian, Air Base, US Africa Command, Nigerien, Pentagon, Reuters, Russia’s Defense
Locations:
Niger, Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Chad, N’Djamena, Germany