Russia violates sanctions by shipping weapons to Africa

In late May 2025, Russian-flagged cargo ships delivered arms to Guinea, which is in West Africa. These shipments included howitzers, armored vehicles, and radio jammers, reportedly intended for use by Russia's paramilitary group known as Africa Corps. Military officials indicated that these weapons were primarily delivered not to the Malian Armed Forces but to support Africa Corps, which has been active in Mali fighting alongside government forces against insurgents since 2021. The shipments occurred despite existing Western sanctions against Russian vessels like the Baltic Leader and Patria, implicated in these deliveries. Following a month-long voyage from the Baltic Sea, the arms were brought into Guinea and then transported to Mali, where they were captured on video by local bloggers. This influx of weaponry could bolster Africa Corps' presence in Mali, especially after the Wagner Group's announced withdrawal from the country earlier in June, emphasizing a shift in Russia's military strategy in Africa. Reports from European military officials confirmed that among the equipment delivered were artillery guns and a BTR-80 armored troop carrier equipped with advanced communication devices. The deliveries coincide with increased concern from the U.S. government regarding Russia's military expansion on the continent. Washington has warned of serious consequences for Russia's naval base plans in Sudan, which reflects a broader apprehension toward Moscow’s growing influence and militarization in Africa. As the Wagner Group faced scrutiny and allegations of war crimes both within Mali and from their past actions, Russia appeared to be restructuring its operations on the continent following a brief leadership upheaval triggered by Yevgeny Prigozhin in mid-2023. This transition from Wagner to Africa Corps may highlight a greater strategic control being asserted by Moscow over its military operations in regions where insurgent threats persist.