Sanctioned Russian ship defies sanctions to deliver military vehicles to Mali

A sanctioned Russian cargo ship, the Mikhail Britnev, has reportedly delivered a significant quantity of military vehicles to Mali, a move that appears to defy international sanctions. Verified footage broadcast by Malian state TV on July 25 shows a large convoy of armored vehicles arriving in the capital, Bamako, having reportedly traveled from the port of Lomé in Togo.

According to BBC Verify's analysis of ship tracking data, the Mikhail Britnev docked in Lomé on July 9. Satellite images suggest the vessel was carrying the types of trucks, armored personnel carriers, and light infantry vehicles observed in Bamako. The ship departed Russia's Baltiysk port on June 18, transited the North Sea, and was reportedly escorted through the English Channel by a Russian warship.

Experts interpret these deliveries as a sign that Russia is intensifying its support for Mali's ruling junta. The junta has faced a significant rebel offensive, led by the Jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg separatists, who have captured substantial territory in northern Mali. Russia has backed the Malian military government since French forces withdrew in 2022, receiving financial payments and preferential access to the country's mines and gold deposits in return.

Initially, Russia deployed the mercenary group Wagner, but its operations have since been transferred to Africa Corps, which operates under Russia's defense ministry. While Africa Corps has been involved in air strikes against rebels, it has struggled to halt their advance. However, analysts suggest this new shipment of military hardware could bolster Malian and Russian forces, potentially enabling them to launch offensives into rebel-held areas. The Mikhail Britnev, sanctioned by the U.S. in 2024, switched off its transponder after passing through the Channel and only reappeared when preparing to dock in Togo. The vehicles were reportedly transported across Togo and Burkina Faso, both of which are also governed by military juntas backed by Moscow.