Russia has deployed a Mi-26 heavy military transport helicopter from the Aerospace Forces to Mali. Photos confirming its presence were shared by observer top_force on the social network X, as reported by Militarniy.
There was no previous information about these helicopters being transferred to Mali.
The helicopter is likely part of the “African Corps,” a structure controlled by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Photos suggest it is used to transport troops of Mali’s ruling junta.
The Mi-26 enables rapid movement of significant airborne units to remote areas, avoiding dangerous overland routes prone to rebel attacks.
These helicopters enhance logistics for Russian operations by transporting armored vehicles, ammunition, and provisions in one flight.
Russia maintains combat aviation in Mali, evidenced by earlier deployment of Russian Su-24s.
The Mi-26, a Russian heavy military transport helicopter, is the largest serially produced helicopter worldwide. Its first flight was in 1977, with production starting in the early 1980s.
A key feature is its load-bearing capacity, lifting up to 20 tons, allowing transport of military equipment and personnel.
The design includes an eight-bladed main rotor and two turboprop engines, ensuring stable flight even with maximum load. It has a maximum take-off weight of around 56 tons, making it the heaviest mass-produced helicopter.
The helicopter stands over 8 meters high, with a fuselage length of over 40 meters and a rotor diameter of approximately 32 meters.
Flight range depends on the load. Without additional fuel tanks, it can reach about 800 kilometers. With reduced load or outboard tanks, the range extends to 1,900–2,000 kilometers.
Its cruising speed is around 255 kilometers per hour, with a maximum speed of up to 295 kilometers per hour.
Illustrative Photo by Azamat Hatypov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/tail-and-wing-of-airplane-17528690/














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