Russian state-aligned military forces have relied on a network of at least 75 flights by military and military-linked aircraft between January 2025 and July 2026 to support operations in the Central Sahel.
The flights, which were tracked by the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, primarily involved aircraft models linked to Russian private military contractors or the Ministry of Defense. Burkina Faso received the most flights, with 56, followed by 38 to Mali, and six to Niger.
The report highlights the role of Russian airlines, including Flight Unit 224, which conducted the most flights, and the Russian Special Flight Squadron, which transported senior officials. The findings also raise concerns about the use of private carriers, which remain unsanctioned by the U.S., EU, or U.K. despite documented links to Russian military logistics.
