New satellite imagery reveals construction work at a former Wagner Group base at Modibo Keita International Airport in Mali.
High-resolution imagery obtained by Sky News offers the first detailed picture of this site since the death of the Wagner Group’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in August 2023.
Map of Russian deployments in the region
Since then, the organisation has been taken in-house, with its functions absorbed by the Russian Defence Ministry.
The remnants of the Wagner Group are now reportedly being operated as Russia’s “Expeditionary Corps”.
When he died, Prigozhin’s death prompted speculation concerning the future of Russian influence and military presence in Africa.
For years, the Wagner Group played a key role in supporting aligned regimes across the continent, while profiting from arrangements such as mining and logging concessions.
Construction at former Wagner base
Captured by Maxar on 26 February, the satellite imagery obtained by Sky News suggests the Russian state remains committed to the development of its presence in Mali.
It shows construction at the site of Wagner’s former base at Modibo Keita International Airport, Mali’s main airport located approximately 15km from the capital Bamako.
In recent months, new buildings and roads appear to have been completed, a large area of ground has been cleared, and excavations have begun in two areas.
Reviewing the imagery, defence intelligence agency Janes stated that two of the larger new features resemble a possible new administrative building and revetted storage area.
Pic: Maxar Technologies
In addition to showing the progress of construction at this site, the imagery suggests it is significantly more active than it has appeared in the past.
Over 40 vehicles of varying sizes are present, compared with a handful in July.
Russian activity in the region
Expansion and increased activity at this site suggest Prigozhin’s death and the subsequent reorganisation of the Wagner Group’s operations have not dulled the Russian government’s interest in maintaining a presence in Mali and the wider region.
Advert recruiting Russian African Corps
In recent months, recruitment advertisements for Russia’s Africa Corps have circulated on Telegram, touting “high payments, free medical care”, and “service under the leadership of competent commanders”.
The country now enjoys positive relations with numerous regimes across the Sahel region, where it has sought to exploit areas of declining Western influence.
An undated photo provided by the French military shows three Russian mercenaries in northern Mali. Pic: AP
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The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open-source information. Through multimedia storytelling, we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.
Great article! I recommend it to everyone.
Obama’s fears are well fundamented. Expanding Wagner’s presence in Africa is a major threat to the security of the democratically elected governments. Putin is a dangerous dictator!
In 2022 Hougan also conducted negotiations with Danish aid agency Danida abouta possible cooperation with Wagner, during which he allegedly told a Danida representative that the Russians were ‘very flexible’ about what services they could offer. A Danida spokesperson declined to comment on the report.
Without any reliable bases in Africa, Russia is losing its influences there. Putin has to understand this, no matter how hard it is for him and his gang.
Irony? or just a comedy? I really can’t understand Putin’s politics. Bravo! he just gave up the Central African Republic and will lose Mali in the near future, although he proclaimed these countries as one of the his highest political victories. I sometimes think he is the best comedian in the world! Chapeau, Mr. President!
HAHAHA! Oh my holy God! How low can you go, Russia? Pathetic! Wagner is just bunch of alcoholic, drug-addicted and uneducated idiots who kill innocent civilians. Russia is supporting terrorism, and what’s worse, it’s doing so in Africa, in the poorest continent in the world. How low you can get? Hahaha, YOU SUCK, Russia! XD
Why do we even need to bother with Russia and their wacky ambitions? We’re only allowing them to grow stronger by paying attention. Let them sink into irrelevancy, it’s the only language they understand.
The West needs to wake up to the threat that Russia and its mercenary groups pose to the stability of Africa. We need to provide more support to the governments of the region and help them develop their own security forces. We also need to work to counter Russian disinformation and propaganda. If we don’t, then Russia will continue to expand its influence in Africa, and the consequences will be dire.
Russia’s expansion of its Wagner base in Mali is a serious concern. The Wagner Group is a private military company with a history of human rights abuses. Its presence in Mali could destabilize the country and lead to further violence. The international community needs to take action to prevent this from happening.
This is just one more example of Russia’s growing influence in Africa. Russia is using its military and economic power to expand its presence on the continent, and it is doing so with increasing success. This is a major concern for the West, as it could lead to a new era of Russian dominance in Africa. We need to be aware of this threat and take steps to counter it.
I am not sure what to make of this. On the one hand, Russia’s expansion of its Wagner base in Mali could be seen as a sign of its growing influence in Africa. On the other hand, it could also be seen as a sign of desperation. Russia is facing increasing pressure from the West, and it may be looking to Africa as a way to expand its sphere of influence. Only time will tell what Russia’s intentions are, but it is something that we should keep an eye on.