Russian ship defies sanctions to send military vehicles to Mali
The ship carried armoured personnel carriers and trucks through the English Channel to Africa, satellite images show.
A Russian vessel, despite facing sanctions, has reportedly delivered a substantial consignment of military vehicles to Russian and Malian forces engaged in combat against a rebel offensive in northern Mali, as uncovered by BBC Verify.
On July 25, Malian state television broadcast verified footage showing a lengthy procession of armored vehicles arriving in the capital, Bamako. Reporters indicated that this convoy originated from Lomé port in Togo.
According to ship tracking data reviewed by BBC Verify, the sanctioned Russian cargo ship, Mikhail Britnev, docked in Lomé on July 9. Satellite imagery, analyzed by experts, suggests the ship was transporting trucks, armored personnel carriers, and light infantry vehicles consistent with those observed in Bamako.
The Mikhail Britnev departed Russia's Baltiysk port on June 18, traversing the North Sea before entering the English Channel, as per ship tracking data. BBC Verify understands that a Russian Ropucha-class warship escorted the vessel through the Channel. The UK's Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the matter.
Experts interpret these deliveries as a clear indication of the Kremlin's intensified support for Mali's ruling junta. The junta has been significantly challenged by a successful rebel offensive spearheaded by the Jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg separatists, which has seized considerable territory in the north.
The Kremlin has been a steadfast supporter of the Malian military government since French forces withdrew from the country in 2022. In exchange, Russia has received cash payments and preferential access to Mali's mines and gold deposits. Initially, the Russian mercenary group Wagner was deployed, but its operations have since been assumed by Africa Corps, which operates under Russia's defense ministry.
While BBC Verify has previously confirmed footage of the Africa Corps conducting airstrikes against rebel forces, the unit has struggled to halt the rebels' advance across northern Mali.
However, Charlie Werb, an analyst with Aldebaran Threat Consultants, suggested that this new shipment could empower Malian and Russian forces to amass sufficient strength for launching offensives into rebel-held areas.
The United States sanctioned the Mikhail Britnev in 2024. Tracking data reveals that the ship's transponder was deactivated after it passed through the Channel two weeks prior, only reactivating when it was preparing to dock in Togo.
Experts who analyzed satellite photos taken before the ship left Baltiysk port confirmed it was carrying a diverse range of military vehicles, including general-purpose trucks, BTR-style armored personnel carriers, and light-infantry vehicles.
Malian state TV reported that these vehicles were subsequently transported across Togo and through Burkina Faso, another country governed by a military junta backed by Moscow. The Togolese government has been strengthening its ties with the Kremlin, having signed a military cooperation agreement with Moscow late last year.
Analysts at the defense intelligence firm Janes indicated that the vehicles could be utilized for a combination of logistics, planning maneuvers, and combat operations.
BBC Verify understands that Baltiysk port has served as a staging point for several ships exporting military materials to West Africa. In February, the bulk carrier Sabetta was tracked after loading what appeared to be military vehicles at the port. It later docked at Conakry in Guinea, a port long associated with weapons transfers from Russia to its regional allies in West Africa. Additionally, another tanker, which did not appear on ship tracking data, was observed loading military vehicles at Baltiysk on June 6.
Mali's military junta has experienced several battlefield setbacks in recent weeks. Rebel fighters have launched sustained attacks on the northern town of Anefis, with clashes also reported near Niono and in other parts of central Mali. On Wednesday, Amnesty International called for a war crimes investigation into what it described as the summary executions of at least 19 Malian soldiers following an ambush earlier this month.
Nevertheless, Werb asserted that the delivery demonstrates the Kremlin's commitment to defending its allied junta. "The Kremlin has maintained steady military support since the conflict entered a new phase on 25 April by bringing in fresh forces, weapons, and equipment," he stated. "The delivery highlights that despite recent setbacks, Mali remains central to Russia's strategy in Africa, and the Africa Corps is a key pillar in Bamako's fight against militant groups."