Personnel from russia's African Corps, which operates under the russian Ministry of Defense, have begun training Malian airborne troops. Footage broadcast by Malian state television shows russian instructors conducting airborne training for around 20 soldiers from the 33rd Airborne Regiment of the Malian Armed Forces at the main apron of Bamako International Airport, which also serves as the country's principal air base.
According to Janes, the training involved D-6 parachutes supplied by russia, while practical exercises were conducted using a russian Mi-8AMTSh transport helicopter.
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From Defense Express' perspective, several aspects of this training deserve closer attention.
Mali's own aviation assets suitable for airborne operations are extremely limited. The country's operational fleet reportedly consists of five Mi-8/Mi-171Sh transport helicopters and two Mi-24 attack helicopters, while an additional three Mi-8s, two An-26 transport aircraft, and one An-24 remain in storage.
In practical terms, Mali's operational helicopter fleet would be sufficient to deploy only one or two airborne platoons in a single lift, making anything beyond small tactical airborne operations difficult.
There is no publicly available information on what aviation assets are directly available to russia's African Corps in Mali. The russian contingent itself is estimated to number around 1,500 personnel.
Mali's armed forces comprise approximately 19,000 troops, including only one airborne formation, the 33rd Airborne Regiment mentioned above.
The army's heavy equipment inventory includes T-72B3 main battle tanks, two PT-76 light tanks, five BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicles, 63 armored personnel carriers of various types, approximately 274 wheeled armored vehicles, and more than 30 D-30 towed howitzers alongside BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket systems.
Another aspect is impossible to ignore.
In March 2022, personnel from Mali's 33rd Airborne Regiment, together with russian mercenaries, were implicated in atrocities against civilians. Rather than demonstrating combat effectiveness, their cooperation became associated with one of the most notorious incidents involving civilian casualties during russia's growing military involvement in the country.
Despite the disappointing performance of russia's airborne forces during the full-scale war against Ukraine, russian Airborne Forces (VDV) continue to enjoy an elite status within russia's military establishment. Moscow appears determined not only to preserve that image domestically but also to export it to partner states.
That helps explain the apparent paradox of russia's African Corps investing in airborne training in Mali, even though the country's own aviation fleet is insufficient to support airborne operations beyond the tactical level.
The training also reflects russia's broader effort to deepen military influence across Africa through its African Corps, which has increasingly replaced the Wagner Group as Moscow's primary instrument of military cooperation on the continent.
Previously, Defense Express reported that Mali, where the African Corps is now actively operating, has been expanding its arsenal with Chinese-made armored vehicles, air defense systems, and multiple-launch rocket systems. The publication also noted that russia transferred two BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles with ammunition to Madagascar, reportedly for evaluation and testing purposes.
Ivan Kyrychevskiy, serviceman of the 413th Raid Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine and weapons expert at Defense Express.
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