Illustrative image. (Telegram)
The Russian Ministry of Defense on April 28 published a report summarizing the operations conducted by the African Corps in coordination with the Malian military since the start of the large-scale offensive that al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the separatist Tuareg Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched across the Sahel country three days earlier.
The large-scale offensive targeted in its first phase Bamako, the capital of Mali, in addition to the key cities of Sevare, Gao, and Kidal.
In its report, the Russian MoD revealed that at least 12,000 militants from JNIM and FLA are taking part in the offensive, which it described as an “armed coup d’état.”
It noted that the preparation was carried out with the participation of “Ukrainian and European mercenaries-instructors,” including some armed with American-made Stinger and French-made Mistral man-portable air defense systems.
“In the capital city of Bamako, attempts were made to capture key objects, primarily the Presidential Palace. As a result of a car bomb explosion, the Defense Minister was killed near his residence,” the ministry said.
“In fierce battles with overwhelming enemy forces, the units of the Africa Corps inflicted irreparable losses on the enemy in personnel and hardware, forcing him to abandon his plans and preventing him from carrying out the coup d’état, retaining the authority of the legitimate government, and preventing mass civilian casualties,” it added.
Four Inokhodets combat drones were used to target militants taking part in the offensive, according to the ministry, which said that up to 60 were killed, adding that “four pickup trucks, and five motorbikes were neutralized.”
The ministry also said that Mi-8 and Mi-24 assault helicopters made 21 sorties under enemy fire to hit “clusters of enemy manpower and hardware.”
“More than 175 militants, 23 motor vehicles, 1 car bomb, and 33 motorbikes were neutralized,” it added.
In addition, Su-24 fighter bombers — deployed in Mali just last year — made six sorties, carrying out eight strikes at “clusters of enemy manpower and hardware,” according to the ministry. These strikes “neutralized” 70 militants, two armored vehicles, and 25 motor vehicles.
“In repelling the terrorist attack, the servicemen of the Africa Corps used all types of weapons: tanks, armored fighting vehicles, armored fighting vehicles, artillery and mortar systems, and MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems). Soldiers, non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers had to engage in close-fire combat several times,” the Russian MoD said.
The ministry estimated that the JNIM and FLA have lost 2,500 militants, 102 motor vehicles, 2 car bombs, 152 motorcycles, 7 mortars since the start of the offensive.
“An Africa Corps detachment, located in Kidal, was engaged in combat for more than 24 hours in complete encirclement against an outnumbering illegal armed group and repelled four massive attacks on the main stronghold and defense outposts. At present, by decision of the leadership of the Republic of Mali, the Armed Forces of Mali and the Africa Corps have left a stronghold in the city of Kidal,” the ministry said, acknowledging that the city has fallen into the hands of the FLA.
The ministry noted, however, that “the enemy” has not abandoned “aggressive intentions” and is currently regrouping, which indicate that the offensive is not over yet.
“The situation in the Republic of Mali remains challenging. The units of the Africa Corps of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to carry out the assigned tasks and are ready to repel the attacks of the militants; they conduct intensive reconnaissance and destroy the identified field camps of the illegal armed formations and the detected targets,” it concluded.
Military commanders took power in Mali after coups in 2020 and 2021, vowing to restore security in the country where militants control large areas in the north and center.
Under the leadership of Gen. Assimi Goita, Mali moved away from France, and built strong relations with both Russia and Turkey. The military government has been also pursuing closer ties with the United States.
The latest attack was clearly meant to weaken Russia’s influence in the country, even at the cost of handing it over to conflicted militant groups.
JNIM seeks to replace established state authority with a conservative interpretation of Islamic law, while the FLA was founded by several Tuareg movements based on its demands for the independence or autonomy of Azawad. The latter’s relations with Ukraine are well-documented. Had the offensive succeeded, a civil war between the two would have broken out soon after.
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