Post #29564

⚡️Russia's Ministry of Defence: On April 25, 2026, at around 5:30 am, illegal armed groups of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and the Azawad Liberation Front, under common command and coordination, attempted to carry out an armed coup d’état in the Republic of Mali. Four major populated areas were attacked simultaneously – Bamako, the capital of the Republic of Mali, as well as the cities of Sevare, Gao and Kidal. The militant groups numbered approximately 12,000 people. Their training was conducted with the participation of Ukrainian and European mercenary instructors, who used, among other things, Western-made Stinger and Mistral MANPADS. In Bamako, attempts were made to seize key facilities, above all the presidential palace. The Defence Minister was killed when a suicide vehicle-borne explosive device was detonated near his residence. Units of the African Corps of the Russian Armed Forces engaged superior enemy forces in fierce fighting, inflicting irrecoverable losses in manpower and equipment on the militants and forcing them to abandon their plans. ❗️Units of the African Corps prevented a coup d’état, preserved the authority of the legitimate government and helped avert mass civilian casualties. *** Four Inokhodets UAV airstrikes were carried out against advancing reserves and concentrations of enemy manpower. The strikes destroyed up to 60 militants, 4 pickup trucks and 5 motorcycles. Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopter crews conducted 21 combat sorties under enemy fire, striking concentrations of enemy manpower and equipment. More than 175 militants, 23 vehicles, 1 suicide vehicle-borne explosive device and 33 motorcycles were destroyed. Su-24 aircraft crews conducted 6 combat sorties, delivering 8 strikes against concentrations of enemy manpower and equipment. More than 70 militants, 2 armoured vehicles and 25 vehicles were destroyed. Medical specialists of the African Corps are providing assistance to wounded and injured civilians, including by performing complex surgical operations. In repelling the terrorist attack, African Corps servicemen used all types of weapons: tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, artillery and mortar systems, as well as multiple launch rocket systems. Soldiers and officers repeatedly had to engage in close-quarters small-arms combat. During the hostilities, enemy losses amounted to: • more than 2,500 personnel; • 102 vehicles; • 2 suicide vehicle-borne explosive devices; • 152 motorcycles; • 7 mortars. During the period of active hostilities: The African Corps detachment stationed in Kidal fought for more than 24 hours while fully encircled by a vastly superior grouping of illegal armed formations and repelled four massive attacks on the main strongpoint and outer defence posts. At present, by decision of the leadership of the Republic of Mali, servicemen of the Malian Armed Forces and the African Corps have left the strongpoint in the city of Kidal. ☝️The enemy has not abandoned its aggressive intentions and is regrouping. The situation in the Republic of Mali remains difficult. Units of the African Corps of the Russian Armed Forces continue to carry out their assigned tasks and remain ready to repel militant attacks, conducting active reconnaissance and destroying identified field camps of illegal armed formations and detected targets.