ATn the south of base 101 of the Malian Armed Forces, which adjoins the runways of Bamako airport, the construction of a new military camp aroused suspicion in November. After earthworks, fifteen tents and Russian armored vehicles appeared on satellite surveillance images, then permanent constructions. In December, rotations of planes belonging to the Russian army succeeded in convincing Western countries that Wagner’s mercenaries had indeed landed in Mali. A Tupolev 154 M registered RA-85042 is notably on the radar, suspected of having brought several dozen Russian war dogs into the country. This aircraft, which belongs to Unit 223 of the Russian Air Force, left Moscow on December 19…
FLORENT VERGNES/AFP (x2) – ALEXIS HUGUET/AFP – Misha Japaridze/AP/SIPA
