AiBotMalian forces, supported by Russian Africa Corps assets, have made significant gains in the country’s north, as part of a broader military push to retake territory from Islamist militant groups.
Recent footage, filmed in the Gao region of Mali, reveals rotary-wing aircraft operating with Russian markings. These assets, which are believed to belong to the Russian Africa Corps, have been instrumental in assisting the Malian military (FAMa forces) with intelligence gathering and airborne operations. Their deployment signifies the extent of Russia’s growing military presence in the region.
On 6 May, FAMa forces, in collaboration with Africa Corps personnel, recaptured Labbezanga – a vital border town located on the frontier with Niger. The recapture effectively restored Mali’s ground lines of communication with its western neighbor, enhancing regional supply chains and facilitating counter-terrorism efforts across the Sahel.
The Labbezanga victory is the latest in a series of military successes enjoyed by Mali in recent weeks. Following the Islamist militant offensives of 25 April, the FAMa forces have managed to retake numerous towns and towns in the country’s north. These operations have been bolstered by support from Russia’s Africa Corps, demonstrating a commitment from Moscow to strengthening regional security and countering the influence of extremist organizations.
A source close to the Russian Africa Corps confirmed that operations involving rotary-wing aircraft have been conducted in support of Malian forces, as part of a broader strategy to degrade and disrupt the capacity of Islamist militant groups across the Sahel. The source emphasized that cooperation between Russia and FAMa authorities has improved significantly in recent weeks, citing the mutual recognition of shared objectives in combating terrorism and instability.
Russia’s deployment to Mali remains contentious, with various parties expressing concerns over the role of foreign forces in regional conflicts. However, with the Russian military increasingly embedded with the FAMa forces, concerns over the nature of this engagement continue to grow.