Russian ship defies sanctions to send military vehicles to Mali

Russian and Malian troops fighting against a rebel offensive in northern Mali have been resupplied with a vast number of military vehicles that appear to have been delivered by a sanctioned cargo ship, BBC Verify has found.

A large column of armoured vehicles were seen arriving in the capital Bamako in verified footage broadcast by Malian state TV on 25 July. Reporters said the convoy had travelled from Lomé port in Togo.

A sanctioned Russian cargo ship, Mikhail Britnev, docked in Lomé on 9 July, according to ship tracking data reviewed by BBC Verify. Satellite images appear to show that the ship was carrying the kind of trucks, armoured personnel carriers and light infantry vehicles seen in Bamako, according to experts.

Ship tracking data shows that the Mikhail Britnev left Russia's Baltiysk port on 18 June and moved through the North Sea before entering the English Channel.

BBC Verify understands that the vessel was escorted through the Channel by a Russian Ropucha-class warship. The UK's Ministry of Defence declined to comment.

Experts say the deliveries signify that the Kremlin is doubling down on its support for Mali's ruling junta, which has been rocked by the success of a rebel offensive led by the Jihadist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Tuareg separatists. The advance has seized large swathes of territory in the north.

The Kremlin has backed the Mali military government since French forces withdrew from the country in 2022 , receiving cash payments and preferential access to mines and gold deposits in return. At first the Russian mercenary group Wagner was deployed, but its operations have since been taken over by Africa Corps, which falls under Russia's defence ministry.

While BBC Verify has previously confirmed footage showing the unit carrying out air strikes against the rebel forces , the Africa Corps has struggled to halt their advance across the north of the country.

But Charlie Werb, an analyst with Aldebaran Threat Consultants, said the new shipment could help Malian and Russian forces to build up enough strength to launch offensives into areas which have fallen to the rebels.

The Mikhail Britnev was sanctioned by the US in 2024. Tracking data shows it switched off its transponder after passing through the Channel two weeks ago, and only reappeared when preparing to dock in Togo.

It was carrying a variety of military vehicles - including general purpose trucks, BTR-style armoured personnel carriers and light-infantry vehicles - according to experts who analysed satellite photos taken before it left Baltiysk port.

According to Malian state TV, the vehicles were then transported across Togo and through Burkina Faso - which is also ruled by a military junta backed by Moscow. The government in Togo has been deepening ties with the Kremlin and signed a military cooperation agreement with Moscow late last year.

The vehicles could be used for a mix of logistics and planning manoeuvres, as well combat operations, analysts at the defence intelligence firm Janes said.

BBC Verify understands that Baltiysk port has been the staging point for several ships exporting military materials to West Africa.

The bulk carrier Sabetta was tracked after loading what appeared to be military vehicles at the port in February. It docked at Conakry in Guinea, a port long associated with weapons transfers from Russia to its regional allies in West Africa.

Another tanker, which did not appear on ship tracking data, was also seen loading military vehicles at Baltiysk on 6 June.

Mali's military junta has suffered several battlefield setbacks in recent weeks. Rebel fighters have carried out sustained attacks on the northern town of Anefis, with clashes also reported near Niono and other parts of central Mali.

Amnesty International on Wednesday called for a war crimes investigation into what it said were the summary executions of at least 19 Malian soldiers after an ambush earlier this month.

But Werb said the delivery showed that the Kremlin was digging in to defend 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 said.

"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."

What claims do you want BBC Verify to investigate?

Related topics