Russia is deploying heavy armored vehicles to Mali as part of its troop reinforcement in the country.

Relevant photos and videos were published by the user Casus Belli with reference to the local TV channel Cap Mali+.

Among the equipment being sent to strengthen the contingent, a significant amount of hardware was spotted, including T-72B3 tanks, motor vehicles, BTR-80/82A armored personnel carriers, Lens, Spartak, Tiger armored vehicles and other weapons.

There were also infantry fighting vehicles – BMDs, as well as a significant number of unidentified vehicles, as they were covered with a tent during transportation.

It is also noteworthy that 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.

According to a Casus Belli expert, this equipment could have been transported by the Russian army from Syria, where it is currently evacuating military property, armored vehicles, and personnel.

Today, Russia has deployed Wagner PMC units in Mali, which became more active after 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.

Currently, the local indigenous population, supported by Western countries, is confronting Russian mercenaries and the pro-Russian Malian government.

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.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that the militants of al-Qaeda in Mali (JNIM AQIM) had ambushed a PMC Wagner convoy in the south of the Republic of Mali.

Al-Qaeda claimed that 6 Wagner mercenaries were killed as a result. Video footage helped confirm 5 mercenaries were killed and that the car was converted into a vehicle with a machine gun turret. It was probably meant to protect the convoy in case of an attack.

Also in July 2024, in the northeast of the country, the units of the Azawadu People’s Defense Structure defeated a group of Wagner militants and junta troops in Chinese armored vehicles and other vehicles.

Former politician, human rights activist, and diplomat Mohamed Larbi Zitut notes that the group’s successes were made possible after they received much-needed anti-aircraft weapons, light artillery, and ammunition.