Russian forces in Mali have continued to develop their base in Bamako after the death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who spearheaded Russia’s expansion into the country. Despite major military setbacks in 2024 that have begun to tarnish Russia’s reputation in Mali, Moscow currently seems committed to maintaining or even increasing its military presence amidst an increasingly complex internal conflict, although the collapse of the Russia-backed Assad regime in Syria could further erode Malians’ confidence in the government’s partnership with Moscow.
The Wagner Base in Bamako
CSIS has monitored Wagner-linked construction at the Bamako airport since Wagner’s arrival in the country in 2021. The base is located at Bamako’s Mobido Keita International Airport near Airbase 101, a Malian Air Force installation. The Russian base has continued to expand through the disruptions associated with Prigozhin’s mutiny and death.
