Over the past week, a Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations (MChS) Ilyushin Il-76TDP (reg. RA-76845) has made two flights between Russia (or Russian-controlled areas) and Mali.
The aircraft took off on 22 June from Krasdonar, stopping over in Latakia (Syria but a Russian base in the region) and then continued on to Mali.
To date, two other similar flights between Syria and Mali have taken place.
It is interesting to note that Syria and Mali are two of the areas where the Wagner group is most active and we cannot help but speculate that these flights are operated in support of the militia in Mali.