Russia’s Africa Corps deploys fighting vehicles in Mali
Russia’s Africa Corps, also known as the Russian Expeditionary Corps (REK), has released an image of a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle operating in an undisclosed location in Africa, likely in Mali.
The release of the image follows reports earlier this year of Russian military convoys arriving in Mali, suggesting that the newly formed Corps has begun reinforcing or replacing former Wagner assets. According to regional analysts, the deployment of armored fighting vehicles such as the BMP-3 highlights a continued shift toward more formalized state-backed military support in Africa under the Russian flag.
The Africa Corps is a Russian government-controlled paramilitary force, tasked with securing Russian interests and supporting allied regimes across Africa. Structured to subsume Wagner’s former operations, the unit now leads Russian expeditionary missions aimed at expanding Moscow’s strategic influence from the Sahel to the Central African Republic.
As noted by international observers, the group has faced multiple accusations of war crimes and illicit economic activity, including mass killings, sexual violence, and resource smuggling. Human rights organizations and UN panels have reported that Russian mercenaries in Africa, including those linked to Wagner and its successor structures, have been involved in industrial-scale looting of gold, diamonds, and timber, while undermining democratic processes through disinformation and election interference.
The BMP-3 is a heavily armed tracked vehicle used to transport infantry and provide direct fire support. Its presence in Mali underscores Russia’s effort to retain its operational footprint even after the formal dismantling of the Wagner Group in the wake of internal upheavals following the death of its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin.
In addition to fighting vehicles, Russia also deployed Mi-8AMTSh-VA helicopters equipped with the modern L370E8 “Vitebsk” countermeasure system to support its troops in the region.
