Mali’s military has received two combat helicopters and two sophisticated radar systems from Russia to help in its fight against Islamist Militants.
The junta, which seized power in 2020, has developed closer ties with Russia after a series of disagreements with France.
Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group are now believed to be helping Mali’s military, though the junta has refused to confirm their deployment.
France’s foreign minister in an interview with France24 says that Mali’s military leaders had become hostage to the mercenaries from Wagner.
Mali’s Defence Minister Col Sadio Camara batted away such criticism, saying the equipment from Russia gave the army the autonomy it needed to battle insurgents.