Faith Nyasuguta
Russia is expanding its military footprint in Mali as competition for influence in the Sahel intensifies, with Moscow training Malian airborne troops using Russian equipment while the United States attempts to rebuild its security presence in a region that has increasingly turned away from Western partners.
Malian state television recently showed more than 20 soldiers from the country’s 33rd Airborne Regiment conducting parachute exercises at Bamako’s international airport, a facility that also serves as Mali’s main military air base.
The training involved Russian D-6 Series 4 parachutes and a Russian-marked Mi-8AMTSh transport helicopter, according to defence analysis platform Janes. Personnel linked to Russia’s Africa Corps were also visible during the drills, highlighting Moscow’s growing role in strengthening Mali’s military capabilities.
The exercises are the latest sign of Russia’s expanding security partnership with Mali, where Moscow has become one of Bamako’s most important military allies following the withdrawal of French forces and the collapse of traditional Western influence in the country.
Russia’s Africa Corps, operating under the Russian Ministry of Defence, has gradually replaced the Wagner Group as Moscow’s main military instrument in Africa. In Mali, the group provides training, security assistance, and operational support as the military-led government seeks new international partnerships.
The development comes as Mali, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, continues strengthening the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc created after the three countries distanced themselves from France and moved closer to Russia.
However, while the parachute drills demonstrate deeper military cooperation, questions remain about Mali’s ability to conduct large-scale airborne operations. The country has a relatively limited transport aviation capacity, meaning such capabilities would likely be restricted to smaller tactical deployments rather than major military operations.
Mali’s armed forces currently number around 19,000 personnel, with the 33rd Airborne Regiment serving as its only airborne unit. Despite these limitations, Bamako has embarked on a major military expansion, acquiring equipment from both Russia and China.
Mali’s growing arsenal includes Russian-made T-72B3 tanks, PT-76 light tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery systems, and rocket launchers. At the same time, Chinese military hardware has become an increasingly important part of the country’s defence strategy.
Recent deliveries reportedly include Chinese Yitian-L short-range air defence systems, VN22 armoured vehicles, and SR-5 multiple-launch rocket systems, further showing that Mali’s military transformation is not dependent on a single foreign partner.
The growing presence of Russia and China in Mali reflects a wider geopolitical shift across the Sahel, where military governments are seeking alternatives to Western security alliances. For Moscow, Mali represents a strategic foothold in a resource-rich and geopolitically important region.
For Washington, the challenge is becoming more urgent. The United States has signaled interest in re-engaging with Sahel countries through security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and aerial surveillance efforts as Russia’s influence continues to expand.
As global powers compete for influence, Mali is emerging as one of the key battlegrounds in the new scramble for the Sahel – where military partnerships, weapons deals, and strategic alliances are reshaping the future of African security.
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