Russia continues to arm Malian military forces as they battle terror organizations across the Sahel.
Photos and videos were published the local TV channel Cap Mali+ shows dozens of trucks carrying at least five T-72B3 Obr.2023 main battle tanks with protective cage, several Kamaz trucks, BMD IFVs, BTR-80A/82, Spartak armoured vehicles, Linza 4×4 armoured ambulance, Typhoon-K in truck variant, Tigr tactical vehicles, artillery, and, small boats as well as other weapons.
Some of the Spartak mine resistant ambush protected vehicles had 57 mm S-60 AA guns mounted on them.
There were also a significant number of unidentified vehicles, as they were covered with a tent during transportation.
With the markings on some of the equipment, including tanks, bears appropriate inscriptions on its sides, indicating that it was transported by rail. At the same time, anti-drone protection is mounted on the tanks’ turrets.
It is likely that these equipment were transported by the Russian army from Syria, where it is currently evacuating military property, armored vehicles, and personnel.
Russia continues on its policy of providing military support to Sahel forces particularly Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Moscow’s Wagner PMC units deployed in Mali, has become more active since the French military left the country in 2022. The French Armed Forces operated in Mali as part of Operations Serval and Barkhane from 2013 to 2022 and countered illegal military groups, including ISIS, which were trying to seize power.
Most likely, the equipment will be distributed between the Wagner PMC units and government forces as part of strengthening the counteraction to paramilitary units in the country and terrorist organizations.
The Wagner Group has been actively involved in various African countries, offering military and security support while expanding Russia’s influence across the continent. Their operations primarily focus on security issues, providing security services, and paramilitary assistance to support troubled regimes in exchange for resource concessions and diplomatic support.
Early last year, Russia expanded its military base in Mali as it looks to increase its activities in the region. The expansion of the base suggests that Russia remains committed to the development of its presence in Mali and the wider region, despite the death of Wagner’s founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, in August 2023.
Furthermore, Russia recently launched a new military force in Africa, dubbed the ‘African Legion‘, which will replace the controversial Wagner group of mercenaries. The new military force will consist of former Wagner operatives and private security contractors affiliated with Russian companies working in Africa. The African Legion was formed in August 2023, after Prigozhin’s death, and recruitment in Africa and Russia started in December 2023.
Mali, Nigér, and Burkina Faso quit the G5 in 2022, after a series of military coup, and forming a new alliance of Sahel states that aims to enhance their security and development.
The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigér came to power through coups in 2022 and 2023 respectively, have accused the G5 Sahel of failing to make the region safer and of serving foreign interests, especially those of France, the former colonial power. France had deployed about 5,000 troops in the Sahel since 2013 as part of its Operation Barkhane, which aims to support the local forces in fighting the jihadists.
However, France faced resentment and criticism from the Sahelian countries, who demanded more autonomy and dignity in their security affairs. All three countries ordered the French forces to leave their territories, following the example of Mali, which expelled the French troops in February 2021. France also announced its intention to reduce its military presence in the region and to focus on a more international and multilateral approach.
With the Russo-Ukraine war still ongoing, Russia continues to fulfil its international commitments, particularly in Africa, where it enjoys extensive patronage.
Moscow had earlier supplied fighter jets and helicopters to the Mali, as the efforts to strengthen it’s military capacity continues in the face of mass exodus of foreign troops in the Sahelian country.
The aircraft includes two Mil Mi-17s, four Czech-designed L-39C Albatross trainer aircraft, and a single Sukhou Su-25 Frogfoot ground attack aircraft.
Likewise in 2021, Mali’s military took into service dozens of new armoured vehicles, including Norinco VN2C 6×6 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) from China, at least six Norinco VN2C IFV, along with 50 Kia KM450 military trucks, Dongfeng EQ2050 multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, half a dozen BRDM-2 amphibious scout cars, at least a couple of BTR-70 8×8 amphibious armoured personnel carriers, and six Puma M36 APCs.
The armoured vehicles were handed over to the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) during a ceremony on 3 December at the Kati military camp.
