Russia has announced that its forces played a role in repelling Saturday's attempted coup in Niger, a claim that has raised eyebrows and perhaps a few questions about the nature of modern military alliances.

Explosions and gunfire erupted across the capital, Niamey, in the early hours, with attacks targeting a key military airbase and the presidential palace. Hours later, Niger's authorities declared the rebellion contained, but not before Moscow had a chance to step into the spotlight.

In a statement on Sunday, Russia's foreign ministry said Nigerien forces had repelled the attack "with the assistance of servicemen of the African Corps of the Russian Ministry of Defence." The ministry also pledged continued support for Niger in its fight against "extremists," while noting that the situation was now under the control of the legitimate authorities led by President Gen Abdourahmane Tiani.

Russia's African Corps has become a go-to security partner for several military governments in the Sahel, who are struggling to contain long-running jihadist insurgencies. The Alliance of Sahel States - comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso - called the attempted coup "a betrayal by a group of soldiers involved in an attempt at destabilisation."

The authorities have remained tight-lipped about the number of soldiers involved in the coup attempt or the casualty count. Gen Tiani, who took power last year after deposing Niger's elected leader and was subsequently sworn in as president, has not publicly addressed the incident.

State broadcaster footage showed several alleged mutineers being arrested by the Presidential Guard. On Sunday, the Niger Press Agency reported that commercial activity was returning to normal, with petrol stations, shops, and businesses reopening. Supporters of the government gathered at a public square in central Niamey to show support for the security forces and Tiani's government.

Air Base 101, the military site attacked on Saturday, is part of the Diori Hamani airport complex. It hosts Nigerien military aircraft and drones, as well as an Alliance of Sahel States counter-terrorism unit. Russian and Italian forces are also based there, according to Reuters.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are all military-ruled countries that have cut ties with Western partners and strengthened cooperation with Russia. Yet jihadist violence remains widespread in all three countries, despite the shift in alliances.

For Niger's government, Saturday's mutiny underscores that the military is dealing not only with an external insurgency but also signs of discontent within its own ranks. The airbase where the mutiny began had itself been targeted twice by jihadists this year - once by an Islamic State affiliate and later by an al-Qaeda affiliate.

Nigerien authorities say security forces have increased patrols around key sites in Niamey, including the main airport entrance and the presidential pavilion, following the attempted takeover.

Three West African juntas have turned to Russia. Now the US wants to engage them. Niger has also dropped French place names to honour local heroes. For more news from the African continent, visit BBCAfrica.com.