An L-39C Albatros delivered from Russia crashed in Menaka region on Monday 6 May 2024 according to a claim by the Islamic State “Sahel Province” (ISSP/ISGS). Both pilots who died in the crash were reportedly Russian mercenary pilots in Mali.
The L-39C crashed under unclear circumstances somewhere in Africa. Reportedly they were enroute to Mali. There have not been an official statement from the Malian junta.
Since August 2022, the Malian military (Forces Armées Maliennes) has officially taken possession of at least 20 L-39C Albatros light attack aircraft from Russia.
Mali‘s Air Force recently conducted a live fire exercise for Forward air controllers requesting close air support from L-39C Albatros and A-29 Super Tucano. Rumors that occurred earlier this year from French sources about a non-operational Albatros fleet have now been at least partially refuted.
The L-39s, while initially designed for training purposes, have also been used as attack aircraft.
The L-39Cs are armed with two under-wing rocket pods and appear to sport the same livery as those of the Russian aerospace forces, the Malian roundels having replaced the Russian markings on the vertical stabiliser and the wings.
The addition of these aircraft will modernize Mali’s aerial capabilities, allowing them to better respond to any security threats with more precision and efficiency.
Although, Malian L-39 Albatross have suffered some losses since delivered, for instance, on Sunday 17 September 2023, a Malian Air Force Aero L-39 (with registration TZ14C) made a gear-up landing in Lere, Timbuktu region.
Meanwhile, Russia is expanding its military base in Mali, according to new satellite imagery that shows construction work at a former site of the Wagner Group, a private military contractor linked to the Kremlin.
The imagery, captured by Maxar on 26 February, reveals new buildings, roads, and excavations at the site of Wagner’s former base at Modibo Keita International Airport, Mali’s main airport located approximately 15km from the capital Bamako.
The base, which was reportedly used by Wagner operatives as a training and logistics hub, has seen a significant increase in activity since July, when only a handful of vehicles were present. The imagery shows over 40 vehicles of varying sizes, as well as two large features that resemble a possible new administrative building and revetted storage area.