Russian aircraft reportedly shot as terrorists capture Malian soldiers

A security analyst, Brant Philip, has reported that terrorists captured several Malian soldiers during coordinated attacks across parts of Mali on Saturday, while unverified reports also claimed that a Russian military aircraft was shot down.

In a series of posts on X, Philip said there were unconfirmed reports that a Russian Africa Corps Su-24 fighter jet crashed near Gao after it was allegedly hit by anti-aircraft fire close to Anefis.

He also reported that heavy smoke was seen rising from the Gao Air Base.

According to Philip, the Russian Africa Corps is engaged in joint operations with the Malian military to repel an offensive launched by the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, JNIM, and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad, FLA, in Gao, Anefis and Aguelhok.

He added that the Malian army confirmed its positions in Aguelhok, Gao, Sevaré, Anefis and Kenioroba came under attack on Saturday during the coordinated offensive by the two armed groups.

Philip further claimed that additional Malian soldiers were taken prisoner by the FLA in Anefis.

The reported crash of the Russian aircraft has not been independently verified, and there has been no official confirmation from Russian or Malian authorities at the time of filing this report.

“Unverified reports that an Su-24 jet of the Russian Africa Corps crashed in Gao after getting hit by AA near Anefis.”

“Heavy smoke rising from the Gao Air Base currently,” he wrote on X.

“The Africa Corps reports to be engaged in combat alongside the Malian army to repel the JNIM/FLA offensive against their positions in Gao, Anefis and Aguelhok,” Philip added.