Analysts say Russia's Africa Corps defeat in Mali could be a turning point for Moscow's influence in West Africa as jihadist attacks continue.

Experts claim the systematic abuse of soldiers, or "dedovshchina," which translates to "hazing," is a grim reflection of Russia's dog-eat-dog society, where "violence, extortion, and corruption are endemic," said Keir Giles, an expert on the nation's military.

The military alliance routinely scrambles fighter aircraft to intercept Russian warplanes that approach or fly near NATO airspace. NATO says the Russian planes it intercepts often fail to use their transponders and don't communicate with air traffic controllers or file a flight plan. NATO jets are sent up to identify them.

Russian attacks near Ukraine's borders raised concerns about possible NATO airspace violations on Saturday morning.

Dual insults — one from the US president and another from a Russian commentator — flung at Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni appear to be uniting at least some of her critics behind her.