Shahed-Type Drones Filmed During Mali Village Attacks

The first confirmed footage of Shahed-type drones being used in Mali has been geolocated by Bellingcat, providing open-source evidence of their deployment in the country’s ongoing conflict.

Researchers from Bellingcat verified two drone strikes that occurred in the villages of Inafarak on July 12 and Talahandak on July 17. While the exact variant could not be definitively identified, experts cited by Bellingcat indicated it is likely these were Russian-manufactured drones, given their deployment alongside the Kremlin-controlled Africa Corps and broader Russian military support to Mali.

A drone expert with Tungsten Strategies, Leo Jarry, told Bellingcat that if the drones are indeed Russian-made, their use would represent a visible demonstration of Russian backing for Mali’s armed forces. The Shahed-136, originally developed in Iran but now also produced in Russia, is a long-range, one-way attack drone designed to explode on impact. Unlike Mali’s Armed Forces’ Bayraktar TB2 drones—which launch precision-guided munitions and return to base—the Shahed-136 operates as a disposable weapon, allowing for strikes over longer distances without the need for recovery.

The first strike, in Inafarak, was documented in footage posted on X (formerly Twitter) showing the aftermath of the attack. Bellingcat geolocated the video to the village near the Algerian border (21.32330, 0.72980) by comparing satellite imagery from July 2015 and July 2024. The analysis revealed damage to several buildings and a commercial facility, including a damaged truck and fuel drums. A distinctive engine visible in the footage was identified by weapons experts as consistent with the MD-550 engine used in the Shahed-136 drone family.

The second strike, in Talahandak on July 17, was captured in multiple videos showing a burning truck and at least one casualty. Bellingcat geolocated these videos to the village (20.26369, 1.80095), near the Algerian border and approximately 100 miles southeast of Inafarak. Additional footage, including one showing a Shahed-type drone in flight, was geolocated to another area of Talahandak nearly a kilometer away (20.266907, 1.792656). Experts confirmed the smoke plume visible in multiple videos matched the impact site, supporting the authenticity of the footage.

The use of Shahed drones in Mali follows earlier reports of their presence. In May, Defence Blog published photographs of drone wreckage from strikes near Savare, and France 24 identified debris from Russian drone systems in Mali earlier this month. Until now, however, no verified footage had shown these drones in flight or striking targets.

The Shahed-136’s deployment in Mali raises concerns about potential civilian harm, given its larger warhead and reduced precision compared to the Bayraktar TB2. Jarry noted that the drone’s reliance on pre-launch surveillance increases the risk of striking incorrect targets, particularly in areas where armed groups operate near civilian populations.

Mali has been embroiled in conflict since a rebellion erupted in 2012. Russian forces, first through the Wagner Group and now the Africa Corps, have supported Mali’s Armed Forces in operations against Tuareg rebel groups and jihadist organizations. The introduction of Shahed-type drones represents a new dimension in the conflict, with implications for both military strategy and civilian safety.