 Russia reaches Soviet-era level of arms trade with Africa. Despite sanctions, Russia continues to boost defence cooperation with African nations and has now in fact reached Soviet-era levels of activity in the region's market for weaponry Alexander Mikheyev, director-general of Russian State Arms Export Agency, Roso Boron Export told TASS. The scope of interaction with African countries has significantly grown since 2000, when a single vertical system was once again formed in Russia in terms of defence cooperation. Today, Roso Boron Export has partnerships with as many as 43 countries, which is comparable with the level of the Soviet Union's presence on the continent, he pointed out. According to Mikheyev, Russian helicopters, missile and artillery weapons, armoured equipment, firearms, close combat systems, automotive vehicles including armoured ones, submarines, tanks, air defence systems and aircraft have been in demand in the African market for years. In addition, Russia also upgrades previously provided equipment. The second Russia-Africa summit, along with an economic and humanitarian forum, is taking place in the Russian city of St. Petersburg on July the 27th to the 28th. Just like the first event, the summit is being held under the rubric for peace, security and development. The event is being organised by the Russ Congress Foundation.