The Russian Embassy in Libya has dismissed reports that Russian aircraft carried out airstrikes on smuggler positions in southern Libya. The embassy described these claims as false, asserting that there are no Russian military aircraft or pilots operating in Libya.
In a statement published on its official channels, the embassy said: “We advise those working for foreign entities hostile to Libya not to mislead the Libyan people by promoting baseless narratives related to Russia. These claims have no connection to reality.”
The denial follows intense clashes in recent days between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and smuggling networks in the southern city of Qatrun, near the Chadian border. Local reports indicate that the LNA conducted military operations against fuel and human traffickers, leading to casualties on both sides.
While no official figures have been released regarding the number of smuggler casualties, Libyan security officials confirmed that at least seven LNA personnel were killed in the confrontations. The LNA has vowed to continue its security operations to combat organised crime in the region.
The embassy’s statement comes amid growing international scrutiny over alleged foreign involvement in Libya’s conflicts. Russia has previously been accused of deploying military personnel and mercenaries in Libya, particularly through the Wagner Group, but has consistently denied direct military operations in the country.
Meanwhile, the LNA reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating smuggling networks that exploit Libya’s porous southern borders. Security forces, working under the directives of the LNA’s General Command, are intensifying efforts to dismantle these operations, which they claim threaten Libya’s stability and deplete its resources.
As tensions in southern Libya persist, the Russian denial highlights the ongoing complexities surrounding foreign involvement and security challenges in the region.
