Accusations Against Russian Paramilitaries
Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Russian paramilitaries of killing eight civilians in June, including three children, in airstrikes in Mali. The report, released by Africanews, claims the paramilitaries are part of the Russia-linked Africa Corps, which has been aiding Mali in its fight against insurgents.
A Sukhoi Su-24 aircraft, part of the Russian operation, dropped at least two munitions on the village of Kyrnia in the Mopti region on June 15. The first strike occurred outside the village chief's residence, killing two of his children, his wife, and another child, while injuring a woman. The second strike targeted a small cattle market, killing four men and injuring two others.
Africa Corps' Response and Justification
Africa Corps, the Russian mercenary group, took responsibility for the strikes on Facebook. They described the target as a gathering place for terrorist groups, justifying the attack as a response to the ongoing security threat in the region. Footage of the strikes, shared on the platform, showed the destruction of a village, with witnesses reporting at least 100 fighters from JNIM present at the time.
Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher at HRW, warned that by offering a 'blank check' to Russia, the Malian government is also accountable for the actions of its allies.
Security Crisis in Mali
The ongoing conflict in Mali, which has lasted over a decade, continues to destabilize the region. The security crisis has led the junta to shift its alliances, moving away from former colonial power France and closer to Russia. Despite these changes, the government has yet to show measurable success in calming the situation or protecting civilians.
Human Rights Watch remotely interviewed 19 people between June 24 and July 14, including 6 witnesses, civil society members, community leaders, Malian military sources, and local journalists. Human Rights Watch also analyzed satellite imagery of the locations of the strikes, a video of the strikes that the Africa Corps placed online, and photographs that an Islamist armed group posted on social media.
On July 22, Human Rights Watch sent a letter to the Russian defense minister, summarizing its findings and posing several questions, but received no response.
The Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has controlled Kyrnia for the past six years. Witnesses said at least 100 JNIM fighters, including a senior commander, were in the village at the time of the strikes but had gathered mainly at the village mosque and outside a shop near a small cattle market. While neither the mosque nor shop was struck, one munition hit the cattle market.
JNIM has occasionally stored weapons, ammunition, fuel, and other material at the store, which is owned by the village chief, a wealthy trader. A pickup truck, similar to vehicles the JNIM commonly uses, was parked outside the chief’s home.
The Russian foreign ministry acknowledged in June that Russian military personnel were working with the Malian armed forces to ensure full control over Malian territory after JNIM attacks across the country on April 25. The Russian Defense Ministry said that its forces used Su-24s to strike militants. Based on media reports and satellite imagery, the Africa Corps has deployed Su-24 aircraft in Mali since at least April 2025 in support of the Malian military. There is no public record of transfer of Su-24s to Malian authorities.