During his stay in Moscow for the third Russia-Africa Summit on October 28-29, 2026, Malian transitional president Assimi Goïta participated in a military demonstration and even tried his hand at shooting. Goïta was accompanied by Russian special advisor for African security issues, General Andrey Averyanov. They visited the Patriot Park of the Russian Federation's armed forces, where "operational excellence is prepared," according to official communications.
Goïta arrived in the Russian capital on October 26 and was received by Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on October 30. Before the summit, Ambassador Igor Gromyko stated that the goal was to consolidate relations with Mali and expand cooperation in areas such as economy, energy, and technology. Russian official Sergey Tsivilev announced that agreements were being prepared, with a commitment to work together to prepare a series of accords.
The Patriot Park, a military training ground, features modern pedagogical infrastructure, including facilities for detecting and combating enemy drones, robotic ground systems, tactical medicine simulators, and training rooms for FPV drone operators. The site also showcases attack drones, loitering munitions, anti-aircraft interceptors, and wheeled armored vehicles.
At the multifunctional shooting center, Russian instructors conducted a demonstration combining close protection exercises for a high-ranking official and training with various types of weapons. Goïta then took up a rifle and fired four successive shots. This visit comes as Russia's military presence in Mali has accelerated since late 2021, with training, equipment deliveries, and technical support for the Malian Armed Forces being key components.
According to reports, Russia's engagements in Mali have reached nearly $900 million between late 2021 and December 2025. The deepening military cooperation between Mali and Russia is a significant development in the region.
The Russia-Africa Summit provided a platform for discussions on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new areas of cooperation. Goïta's visit to Moscow and participation in the military demonstration underscores the growing strategic partnership between Mali and Russia.
The military demonstration at Patriot Park showcased Russia's advanced military capabilities and training facilities. Goïta's hands-on experience with the rifle highlights the strengthening military ties between Mali and Russia, with potential implications for regional security dynamics.
Key points
- Mali's Assimi Goïta participates in military demonstration in Moscow
- Russia's military presence in Mali has reached nearly $900 million in engagements
- Goïta's visit underscores growing strategic partnership between Mali and Russia
