Mali has intensified military cooperation with Russia after state television broadcast footage showing soldiers from the country’s 33rd Airborne Regiment carrying out parachute training at Bamako’s international airport, which also serves as a major military base.
The exercise, conducted on June 28, involved more than 20 Malian troops using Russian-made D-6 Series 4 parachutes and a Russian-marked Mi-8AMTSh transport helicopter. Personnel associated with Russia’s Africa Corps were also visible during the drills, highlighting Moscow’s expanding role in Mali’s defence sector.
The training comes as Russia continues efforts to strengthen its influence across the Alliance of Sahel States, a regional bloc made up of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The three countries moved away from traditional Western partners, particularly France, after military governments took power and began developing closer ties with Moscow.
Russia’s Africa Corps, which operates under the Russian Ministry of Defence, has increasingly taken over the role previously associated with the Wagner Group by providing security assistance, military training and political support to Mali.
Although the presence of Russian personnel in Mali has grown, details about the specific military aircraft available to Africa Corps in the country remain unclear. The Russian contingent in Mali is estimated to consist of about 1,500 personnel.
Despite the new training initiatives, analysts note that Mali’s ability to conduct large-scale airborne operations remains limited due to its small transport aviation capacity. The country’s armed forces have approximately 19,000 personnel, with the 33rd Airborne Regiment being its only specialised airborne unit.
Mali has, however, continued to expand its military capabilities through foreign defence partnerships. Its military inventory includes Russian-made tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery systems and rocket launchers, while recent acquisitions have also introduced Chinese military equipment.
The country recently received additional Chinese-made defence systems, including short-range air defence equipment, armoured vehicles and multiple-launch rocket systems, as part of efforts to strengthen operations against armed insurgent groups.
The developments indicate that Mali’s military expansion is no longer dependent solely on Russia, as China has also emerged as a growing defence supplier while Moscow continues to provide training and strategic support.
Meanwhile, Russia’s increasing influence in the Sahel has pushed the United States to reconsider its approach toward military-led governments in the region. Washington has shifted focus toward counterterrorism cooperation, intelligence sharing and restoring strategic access.
Reports indicate that the U.S. has been working toward an agreement with Mali to resume aerial surveillance operations, including aircraft and drone missions aimed at monitoring extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda.
Mali has consequently become a key point of competition between Russia and the United States, with Moscow seeking to strengthen its foothold in West Africa while Washington aims to maintain security access and limit the expansion of rival influence in the Sahel.
