Russian ship defies sanctions to send military vehicles to Mali
A sanctioned Russian cargo ship has been tracked delivering military vehicles to Mali to support the ruling junta against rebel forces. The delivery highlights Russia's deepening military involvement in the region following the withdrawal of French forces.
Why it matters
This move underscores the shifting geopolitical alliances in Africa and the Kremlin's strategy to bypass international sanctions to maintain influence.
By Matt Murphy BBC Verify Published 12 minutes ago 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.
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