Rebels in Mali claim to have shot down a Russian military helicopter
Kyiv • UNN
Rebels in Mali shot down a military helicopter, likely belonging to the Russian 'African Corps'. They also intensified their offensive on the strategic town of Anefis, claiming to have established control, which the Malian army denies.
In Mali, rebels claimed to have shot down a military helicopter, which likely belonged to the "African Corps" of the Russian Ministry of Defense, and also intensified their offensive on the strategically important city of Anefis. This is reported by Le Monde and France 24, writes UNN.
Details
Videos of the helicopter crash, resembling a Mi-24 or Mi-35, have appeared on social media, as well as footage of a burning fuselage and armed individuals identified as Tuareg rebels. According to the OSINTWarfare account, fighters of the "Azawad Liberation Front" ambushed a column of the "African Corps" heading from the city of Gao to Anefis to reinforce its defense. It is claimed that during the attack, a helicopter was shot down and several military trucks were destroyed.
The sides make conflicting statements regarding Anefis
Turkish journalist Mahmut Bozarslan also reported the destruction of a Mi-24 helicopter, which, according to him, belonged to the "African Corps" of the Russian Ministry of Defense. He claims the incident occurred near Tinzaouaten close to the border with Algeria, and that everyone on board was killed. There is no official confirmation of this information from Russia.
Meanwhile, Le Monde and France 24 report that rebels and jihadist groups simultaneously attacked positions of the Malian army and its allies in several areas of the country. The main target was Anefis, which is considered one of the key strongholds of the Malian army and the "African Corps" in the Kidal region after the spring rebel offensive.
Representatives of the "Azawad Liberation Front" stated that they have already established control over Anefis, but the Malian army denies this. The "African Corps" also claims that their units, together with Malian military personnel, continue to remain in the city and are engaged in fighting.