The Russian cargo ship Mikhail Britnev, which has been sanctioned by the United States since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, arrived at the Port of Lomé in Togo on July 9. According to satellite images and tracking data from Global Fishing Watch, the vessel departed from the Russian naval base of Baltiysk in Kaliningrad on June 18. It was carrying armored fighting vehicles and personnel carriers intended for Mali. This marks the first time Togo has served as a stop for a Russian shipment of weapons to Mali, as part of Moscow's ongoing support for the Malian government.
Ship traced through the English Channel
The Mikhail Britnev left the Russian port of Baltiysk on June 18 and was later tracked moving through the English Channel. Data from satellite imagery and maritime tracking services shows that the ship was escorted by another Russian naval vessel, the Aleksander Shabalin, which is a Ropucha-class landing ship. The Royal Navy's HMS Somerset was monitoring the movement of the Russian ships, as confirmed by the Royal Navy's official website. This surveillance highlights the international interest in monitoring Russian military activity.
While sailing near the coast of Brittany, the Mikhail Britnev turned off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), a technology used to track a ship's location. This action rendered the vessel's movements untraceable from June 18 to July 8. On July 8, the ship reactivated its AIS transponder and appeared in Togolese waters. It docked at the Port of Lomé the next day, on July 9, where it began unloading its cargo. The disappearance of the ship's signal from June 18 to July 8 is a common tactic used to avoid surveillance.
New logistics corridor for Russian arms in Mali
The Port of Lomé has now become a key entry point for a new logistics corridor used by Russia to supply military equipment to Mali. This route replaces an earlier one that passed through the Port of Conakry in neighboring Guinea. According to analyst Hasret Kargın from Mintel World, an open-source intelligence firm, the new route reflects a strategic shift in how Russia delivers arms to Mali.
The new corridor stretches 1,842 kilometers, as noted by Kargın. It begins in Togo, passes through Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, and enters Mali from the Sikasso region. From there, the convoy continues through Bougouni and Ouelessebougou before arriving in Bamako, the capital of Mali. Malian public television, ORTM, confirmed the length of the journey in a report on July 25, stating that the 10-day trip was completed via this eastern route.
Kargın attributes the change in route to both logistical and security concerns. The Port of Conakry has limited capacity, and vessels often face long delays. Despite the new route being longer than the traditional one, security has played a significant role in the decision to adopt it. In recent years, western Mali has become increasingly risky due to the activities of jihadist groups, including JNIM. As a result, many fuel and supply convoys have started using the eastern route for improved safety.
Weapons used by FAMA and the Africa Corps
The military equipment delivered by the Mikhail Britnev is expected to be used by two groups in Mali: the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) and the Africa Corps. The Africa Corps is a paramilitary organization backed by the Russian government, which replaced Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group in Mali. This shift in leadership underscores the ongoing Russian military presence in the region and their direct involvement in supporting the Malian government.
According to Kargın, both the Malian Armed Forces and the Africa Corps are active on the ground and are likely to share the newly delivered weapons. The Africa Corps, in particular, has a significant presence in key areas of Mali, where it provides logistical and military support to the government. This collaboration highlights the continued reliance of the Malian authorities on foreign assistance to combat internal threats and maintain stability.
