Russian Air Force Mi-8/17/171 Shot down

A Russian Mi-8AMTSh transport helicopter operated by the Africa Corps was shot down by surface-to-air fire near Wabaria, in Mali's Gao Region, on 25 April 2026. The crash occurred during one of the largest coordinated offensives against Mali's junta in years, with the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and JNIM jihadist fighters launching simultaneous assaults across Bamako, Kati, Kidal, Gao and Sevare. The entire flight crew and a mobile fire team being transported aboard were reported killed. The loss was confirmed by FLA spokespeople and Russian Telegram channels, though the Russian Ministry of Defence did not officially acknowledge the incident.