Mali: Russian Bomber Crashes into the Niger River

Edited by : Mamoudou Samoura

A Russian Su‑24M tactical bomber, operated by the Africa Corps — the state-backed successor to the Wagner Group — crashed into the Niger River near Gao on Monday. The aircraft was reportedly forced into an emergency landing during Operation “Dougoukoloko,” likely due to a technical failure or a severe dust storm. Both pilots were rescued unharmed and transported to a medical facility. Malian forces swiftly secured the crash site, launching a full investigation. This marks the first confirmed crash of a Russian military aircraft in the Sahel.

The incident comes amid a strategic shift in Russia’s military footprint in Mali, following the official withdrawal of Wagner mercenaries in late May. The Africa Corps, now under the direct command of Russia’s Ministry of Defense, continues to conduct operations in coordination with the Malian government. The crash raises fresh concerns about the operational stability and logistical resilience of Russian air power in a region increasingly destabilized by jihadist insurgencies in the north and east.