For more than a decade, the Sahel has been one of the regions most affected by Islamist terrorism. Caught between jihadist groups and government armies, civilian populations are the first victims of abuses. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, three former French colonies, have seen their governments overthrown by military juntas. These juntas chose to accept the offer extended by Vladimir Putin, a new ally capable of supplying weapons and men. Intensive propaganda campaigns, reminding people that the USSR had supported the struggle for independence in the region, accompanied Russia's gradual takeover. What are Putin's real interests in Africa, and what are the consequences for the Sahel, but also for Europe?