S. troops, according to a senior U.S. defense official speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters. This development comes after Niger's junta demanded the expulsion of U.S. forces from the country, following a coup that took place last year.

Niger had been a crucial partner for the United States in its fight against insurgents responsible for thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. However, the military officers now in charge of the West African nation have instructed the U.S. to withdraw its approximately 1,000 military personnel.

The U.S. defense official revealed that Russian forces are occupying a separate hangar, designated as Airbase 101, adjacent to the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger's capital city of Niamey. It is important to note that there is no mingling between Russian and U.S. troops.

This development raises concerns about the fate of U.S. installations in Niger following the withdrawal. However, the official believed that the situation is currently manageable, though not ideal. The news of Russian forces entering the air base was initially reported by Reuters, adding to the existing acrimonious military and diplomatic rivalry between the United States and Russia amid the conflict in Ukraine.

When asked about the report, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin downplayed any risk to American troops, emphasizing that the Russian troops are located in a separate compound without access to U.S. forces or equipment. Austin assured that he remains focused on the safety and protection of U.S. troops, stating that there is no significant issue in terms of force protection at the moment.

The embassies of Niger and Russia in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comments regarding this matter. It is worth noting that the United States and its allies have been relocating troops from several African countries due to coups that resulted in new governments wanting to distance themselves from Western nations. Apart from the impending departure from Niger, the U.S. military has recently withdrawn from Chad, while French forces were expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso.

At the same time, Russia is actively seeking to strengthen relations with African nations, positioning itself as a friendly country without any colonial baggage. Mali, for instance, has become one of Russia's closest African allies, with the deployment of the Wagner Group mercenary force to combat jihadist insurgents.

The strained relationship between Russia and the United States has been further exacerbated by the U.S.' military and financial aid to Ukraine in its efforts to defend against Russian forces. The exact number of Russian military personnel in Niger, as stated by Nigerien authorities to President Joe Biden's administration, remains unverified, according to the U.S. official.

Following the coup, the U.S. military transferred some of its forces from Airbase 101 to Airbase 201 in the city of Agadez. The extent of U.S. military equipment remaining at Airbase 101 is currently unclear. Airbase 201, built by the United States at a cost exceeding $100 million, has been instrumental since 2018 in targeting Islamic State and al Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) fighters using armed drones.

The decision by Nigerien authorities to request the removal of U.S. troops came after a meeting in Niamey in mid-March, where senior U.S. officials expressed concerns about the expected arrival of Russian forces and reports of Iran seeking raw materials, including uranium, in the country. Although the U.S. message was not an ultimatum, it made clear that U.S. forces could not coexist with Russian forces on the same base, which was met with discontent by Nigerien officials.

In an effort to facilitate a professional and responsible withdrawal, a two-star U.S. general has been deployed to Niger. While future decisions regarding the presence of U.S. troops in Niger remain undecided, the plan is for them to return to U.S. Africa Command's home bases, located in Germany.