The Democratic Republic of Congo's army has denied the presence of fighters from Russia's mercenary Wagner Group in the country, in response to claims by a rebel group.
The army has been struggling to contain the M23 rebel group that has in recent months captured swathes of territory in the eastern part of the country.
Reports have suggested the presence of Russian mercenaries in North Kivu province on the government’s invitation to help deal with the rebel group.
M23 spokesperson Willy Ngoma says that they had fought a joint team of the Congolese army and the mercenaries last week in Tongo and Nyamilima fronts in the Rutshuru area.