Bayraktar TB2 drones are deployed at the Wagner PMC base in Mali

Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones were spotted at the Wagner PMC base in Mali.

The Insider reported on this.

It is worth noting that the Malian Armed Forces purchased these drones as part of a program to expand the capabilities of their Air Force.

Militarnyi reported in December 2022 that the African country had received the first batch of these drones. The number of purchased drones and the terms of their purchase were not disclosed.

Most likely, Russian mercenaries are not directly using these drones.

The military base, which houses at least three drones, is located at the Sevare military airport near the town of Mopti.

It is confirmed that Russian mercenaries of the Wagner PMC are stationed at this base.

The publication states that sources within the Wagner group claim that the representatives of Russia’s Ministry of Defense have in the meantime taken over the control of the Sevare military base.

This would mean that the Russians could have illegally seized Turkish defense technology, although direct use of these drones is unlikely: the Russians do not have drone maintenance specialists and operators.

It was reported that China had transferred a large batch of armored vehicles to Mali. In particular, WZ-551 armored personnel carriers and VP11 mine-protected patrol vehicles were spotted.

In addition, in August 2022 and January 2023, the Russian government transferred batches of combat aircraft to Mali.

L-39 and Su-25 aircraft, along with Mi-24P and Mi-8 attack helicopters, were handed over to the Malian Air Force.