Togo becomes new entry point for Russian arms bound for Mali
A Russian cargo ship under US sanctions, the Mikhail Britnev, unloaded military vehicles at the port of Lomé in Togo on July 9. It marks the first time Togo has served as a transit point for a Russian weapons shipment bound for Mali. The delivery is part of Moscow's continued military support for Mali's ruling authorities.
A Russian cargo ship under US sanctions, the Mikhail Britnev, unloaded a cargo of military vehicles at the port of Lomé in Togo on July 9, according to France 24. It is the first documented instance of Togo serving as a transit point for a Russian weapons shipment destined for Mali.
The delivery forms part of Moscow's ongoing military support for Mali's governing authorities, who have relied on Russian equipment and personnel since severing longstanding defense ties with France. Russia has expanded its footprint across the Sahel in recent years, supplying arms and training to several military-led governments in the region.
The shipment's route through Togo, a country not previously used for such transfers, suggests Russian suppliers may be diversifying entry points into West Africa. Neither Togolese nor Russian authorities have publicly commented on the shipment.
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