Russia has stated that a substantial batch of military aircraft was sent to Mali in mid-January, highlighting a deepening security collaboration between Moscow and Bamako. This claim emerged during a meeting between Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, and Abdullah Diop, Mali’s foreign affairs minister, and was reported by DEA News.
Lavrov noted that last year and at the outset of this year, cooperation in military and technical sectors has seen notable progress. He emphasized that the large-scale delivery of aviation equipment significantly enhances Mali’s capacity to confront terrorism within its borders.
According to the diplomat, the first large shipment of air assets for these operations arrived earlier, with a second batch arriving recently, adding a new layer to ongoing security support.
Lavrov subsequently traveled to Mali for a working visit, marking a key moment in the high-level engagement between the two countries.
In late January, DIRPA, the Public Affairs Office of the Mali Armed Forces, released a report detailing recent achievements by the republican army. The assessment highlighted a series of counterterrorism successes, including the neutralization or capture of 107 extremist individuals across multiple regions. The report also noted the destruction of 22 bases operated by hostile groups and approximately 40 vehicles (as attributed in official military briefs). [Source: DIRPA summary notes; official Mali defense communications]