Russia Sends Mi-26, World’s Largest Helicopter, to Mali

Russia has deployed a Mi-26 heavy military transport helicopter from the Aerospace Forces to Mali.

Photos confirming its presence were published on X by top_force observer.

Previously, there had been no information about the transfer of these aircraft to the African country.

The helicopter is believed to be under the command of the so-called African Corps, a structure de facto controlled by the Russian Defense Ministry.

🚁🇷🇺 #HTL Mil-Mi-26 au Mali. Non mais Halo, quoi! pic.twitter.com/55IFkEKt0m

— Philippe Top-Action (@top_force) September 10, 2025

Judging by the photos, it is also used to transport troops of Mali’s ruling junta.

The Mi-26 enables Russian forces and their allies to quickly move large airborne units to remote areas, avoiding vulnerable ground convoys that are often targeted by rebels.

Its capacity to transport armored vehicles, large quantities of ammunition and supplies in a single flight also significantly strengthens Russia’s logistics in the region.

In addition to transport aircraft, Russia maintains combat aircraft in Mali. In June, it became known that Russian Su-24s were deployed there.

Mi-26

The Mi-26 is a Soviet-designed, now Russian, heavy military transport helicopter and remains the largest serially produced helicopter in the world. Its first flight took place in 1977, with production beginning in the early 1980s.

Its defining feature is its exceptional payload capacity. It can lift up to 20 tons, allowing it to transport armored vehicles, artillery, building materials or large groups of personnel.

The helicopter is equipped with an eight-blade main rotor and two turboshaft engines, providing stability even at maximum load.

The maximum takeoff weight is about 56 tons, making it the heaviest production helicopter in the world. It stands more than eight meters tall, with a fuselage length exceeding 40 meters and a rotor diameter of about 32 meters.

Range depends on load. In standard transport mode without auxiliary tanks, it can fly about 800 kilometers. With reduced load or additional fuel tanks, the range extends to 1,900–2,000 kilometers.

The Mi-26 has a cruising speed of roughly 255 kilometers per hour and a maximum speed of up to 295 kilometers per hour.