Ethiopia has taken delivery of Russian fighter jets and air defence systems, a move that lands as fighting in the northern Tigray region stretches into its second month.
The timing is hard to ignore. The purchase signals Addis Ababa's intent to deepen its military capability at a moment when the conflict in Tigray is still very much alive on the ground.
Details on the exact number of aircraft and the full scope of the defence package remain thin, but the Russia connection marks a notable direction for Ethiopia's military partnerships as the country manages one of its most serious internal security challenges in recent years.
Originally published by BBC Africa.