Dmitry Peskov called the involvement of Russian advisers in the killings in the CAR a lie

"Russian military advisers could not and did not participate in either the killings or the robberies. This is another lie", - the Interfax news agency quoted Dmitry Peskov as saying.

At the same time, the New York Times article claims that Russian advisers allegedly killed civilians, including in the mosque, and robbed their homes.

According to the CAR authorities, there is a civil war with the rebels in the country; the UN peacekeeping contingent is on the side of the authorities. Also, up to 300 Russian military instructors work in the country.

In December, 2020 some media sources informed about the arrival of additional forces of Russian paramilitary structure known as' PMCs Wagner in the CAR. The increase in the contingent of Russian mercenaries was then associated with the activation of rebel formations.