Black Russians is an unofficial name given to a group of pro–government militias in the Central African Republic, recruited mostly from former Anti-balaka and UPC fighters by Wagner Group. The militias have been accused of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Anti-balaka is an alliance of militia groups based in the Central African Republic in the early 21st century said to be composed primarily of Christians. However, some church leaders have contested the claimed exclusively Christian character of such groups. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation and journalist Andrew Katz have noted that animists also participate in Anti-balaka groups.