| Deploying nation |  Russia |
|---|---|
| Host nation or area |  Mali |
| Region | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Military branch | 🪖 Ground forces |
| Record type | Deployment |
| Operation or mission | |
| Unit or formation | Not publicly confirmed |
| Personnel | Not disclosed |
| Equipment | Not stated |
| Status | Confirmed active |
| Start or report date | Oct 22, 2026 |
| Withdrawal or end date | — |
| Last verified | Oct 22, 2026 |
| Confidence | Medium: one credible outlet |
Background
Russia: Africa Corps. Where: Mali, central regions. Status: Fighting alongside Mali’s army; Human Rights Watch implicates it in detainee torture at a Sévaré base between May and August. HRW says it has about the same strength as the Wagner force it replaced, but gives no number
Deployment timeline
- Record added from The Boston Report Military Deployments Tracker. Source report dated 2026-10-22.
Sources
Related deployments
- Uganda: UPDF bilateral and AUSSOM troops (AUSSOM allocation 4,500) Withdrawn
- Algeria: National People’s Army units to Niger Confirmed active
- Egypt: brigade-sized battle group (AUSSOM allocation 1,091) Confirmed active
- South Africa: South African National Defence Force members (Operation Prosper) to KwaZulu-Natal province, in support of the police Confirmed active
- Russia: Elements of the 120th Naval Infantry Division, 40th Separate Naval Infantry Brigade and 90th Tank Division to Oleksandrivka direction, Ukraine, to defend against Ukrainian counterattacks Confirmed active
- Burundi: army (FDNB) battalions Confirmed active
- Russia: Elements of the 41st Combined Arms Army to Toward Serhiivka, southwest of Dobropillya, Ukraine Confirmed active
- Russia: 5th Tank Brigade, 37th and 64th Motorized Rifle Brigades to Hulyaipole direction, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine Confirmed active
Public information only. Locations are given at country or sea-area level. Figures are shown as the source reported them; estimates and claims are labeled. Spot an error? Request a correction.